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THE  WATERS  OF  THE 
HOT  SPRINGS  OF  ARKANSAS 

IN  RELATION  TO  THE  ALLEVIATION 
AND  CURE  OF  DISEASES 


A  REPORT  OF  THE 
SECRETARY  OF  THE  INTERIOR 

ON 

H.  R.  24737  (62d  CONGRESS,  2d  SESSION),  "A  BILL  TO  AUTHORIZE 
THE   INVESTIGATION    OF    THE   PHYSIOLOGICAL   AND   THERA- 
PEUTICAL  EFFECTS   OF  THE  WATERS   OF  THE   HOT  SPRINGS 
OF  ARKANSAS  AND  TO  REPORT  UPON  THE  APPLICA- 
TION OF  THESE  WATERS  TO  THE  ALLEVIA- 
TION AND  CURE  OF  DISEASES." 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

1912 


RAZ0S.H71Z 
32. 


[Sixty-second  Congress ,  Second  Session.] 

In  the  House  of  Representatives, 

Awjust  10,  1912. 
Resolved,  That  there  be  printed  as  a  document  five  hundred  copies  of  the  report  of 
the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  dated  June  seventh,  nineteen  hundred  and  twelve,  and 
accompanying  papers,  on  H.  II.  24737.  to  authorize  the  investigation  of  the  physiologi- 
cal and  therapeutical  effects  of  the  waters  of  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas,  and  to  report 
upon  the  application  of  these  waters  to  the  alleviation  and  cure  of  diseases. 
Attest: 

South  Trimble,  Clerk. 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  AND   THERAPEUTICAL  EFFECTS   OF 
THE  WATERS  OF  THE  HOT  SPRINGS  OF  ARKANSAS. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Washington,  June  7,  1912. 
Hon.  Joseph  T.  Robinson, 

Chairman  Committee  on  the  Public  Lands, 

House  of  Representatives. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  May  28  has  been  received,  inclosing  with 
request  for  report  thereon  H.  R.  24737,  "to  authorize  the  investiga- 
tion of  the  physiological  and  therapeutical  effects  of  the  waters  of  the 
hot  springs  of  Arkansas  and  to  report  upon  the  application  of  these 
waters  to  the  alleviation  and  cure  of  diseases."  The  bill  in  question 
is  as  follows : 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of  America 
in  Congress  assembled,  That  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may 
be  necessary,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  appropriated  to  investigate  the  physiological 
and  therapeutical  effects  of  the  waters  of  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas  and  to  report  upon 
the  application  of  these  waters  to  the  alleviation  and  cure  of  diseases,  including  the 
employment  of  all  persons  necessary  in  carrying  on  the  work,  the  purchase  of  labora- 
tory apparatus,  equipment,  and  other  supplies,  the  renting  of  building  and  other 
appurtenances,  and  all  other  expenses  necessary  to  effectuate  such  investigation,  to 
be  expended  under  the  supervision  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  and  to  continue 
available  until  expended. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  Secretaries  of  the  Treasury,  of  the  War,  of  the  Navy,  and  of  the 
Agricultural  Departments,  respectively,  are  hereby  directed  to  cooperate  with  the 
Secretary  of  the  Interior  in  such  investigation,  by  detailing  competent  officers,  and  by 
extending  all  hospital,  laboratory,  and  other  facilities  necessary  and  desirable  in  the 
carrying  on  of  such  investigation. 

In  response  thereto  I  have  to  state  that  the  minutes  of  the  sixty- 
second  annual  session  of  the  American  Medical  Association,  Los 
Angeles  session,  June  26  to  June  30,  1911,  as  published  in  the  official 
journal  of  that  organization,  provides,  among  other  things: 

Proposal  to  examine  radioactive  waters  .—Owing  to  the  importance  attributed  to 
radioactive  mineral  waters  in  the  treatment  of  gouty  and  other  affections  by  compe- 
tent European  observers,  and  the  special  interest  excited  by  the  symposium  on  the 
subject  at  the  Thirty-second  Pharmacologic  Congress  recently  held  in  Berlin,  the 
section  on  pharmacology  and  therapeutics  of  the  American  Medical  Association 
requests  the  house  of  delegates  to  suggest  to  the  United  States  Government  the  advisa- 
bility of  investigating  the  radioactivity  of  the  various  mineral  waters  of  the  United 
States  and  publishing  the  result  for  the  benefit  of  the  medical  profession. 

Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock,  medical  director  of  the  Hot  Springs  Reserva- 
tion, under  date  of  July  10,  1911,  invited  attention  to  the  great  and 
widespread  faith  in  the  curative  properties  of  the  water  and  to  the 
recognition  of  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  its  use,  as  exemplified 
by  the  act  of  Congress  in  establishing  the  reservation  of  the  Hot 
Springs,  stating,  among  other  things : 

The  intelligent  application  of  any  remedial  agent,  as  distinguished  from  quackery, 
depends  fundamentally  upon  definite  knowledge  as  to  the  effects  upon  the  living 


4  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

organism  which  maj  be  expected  to  follow  its  exhibition,  and  these  have  never  been 
determined  with  reference  to  the  water  of  the  hot  springs,  at  leasl  in  detail  and  with 
the  scientific  accuracy  requisite  for  announcement  to  and  acceptance  by  the  medical 
world. 

The  relation  of  the  Federal  Government  to  the  springs  and  the  authority  it  exercises 
with  reference  to  the  prescribing  <>f  the  water  would  appear  to  amounl  to  a  recom- 
mendation for  it-  use  in  certain  cases,  and  consequently  it  may  lie  assumed  that  there 
<l<-\  olves  an  obligation  to  determine,  so  far  as  may  be  possible,  in  what  cases  it  is  of  real 
.  and  how  it  influences  the  functions  of  the  various  organs  of  the  body. 

Subsequently,  in  February,  1912,  the  medical  director  was 
instructed  to  take  up  the  subject  of  the  investigation  of  the  physio- 
logical effects  of  the  waters  from  the  hoi  springs  and  submit  it  report 
thereon;  and  there  is  herewith  transmitted  for  your  information  a 
copy  of  his  letter  of  April  l'.i.  1912,  embodying  a  detailed  report  on 
the  subject,  together  with  copies  of  letters  received  by  him  from  the 
representatives  of  the  leading  medical  colleges  in  the  United  States 
and  members  of  the  medical  profession,  expressing  their  views  on  the 
advisability  of  the  inauguration  of  the  investigation  in  question. 

In  the  interest  of  the  afflicted  who  resort  to  Hot  Springs  for  the 
purpose  of  procuring  the  benefit  of  the  thermal  waters  on  the  reserva- 
tion it  is  Highly  desirable  that  experiments  be  inaugurated  at  the 
earliest  practicable  date  to  determine,  as  far  as  may  be  possible,  the 
exact  physiological  action  of  the  waters  from  these  hot  springs,  and  I 
have  to  recommend  that  the  legislation  contemplated  in  t lie  bill 
receive  early  and  favorable  consideration. 
Very  respectfully, 

Carmi  A.  Thompson, 

Assistant  Secretary. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation, 
Office  of  Medical  Director, 
Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  July  10,  1911. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 

IVashington,  D.  C. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  recommend  that  a  competent  physiolog- 
ical chemist  be  employed  to  conduct  a  series  of  experiments  with  a 
view  to  determining,  as  far  as  may  be  possible,  the  exact  physiological 
action  of  the  water  of  the  Hot  Springs. 

In  this  connection  attention  is  invited  to  the  great  and  widespread 
faith  in  the  curative  properties  of  the  water  and  to  the  recognition  of 
the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  its  use,  as  exemplified  by  the  act  of 
Congress  in  establishing  the  reservation  of  the  Hot  Springs. 

The  intelligent  application  of  any  remedial  agent,  as  distinguished 
from  quackery,  depends  fundamentally  upon  definite  knowledge  as 
to  the  effects  upon  the  living  organism  which  may  be  expected  to  fol- 
low its  exhibition,  and  these  have  never  been  determined  with  refer- 
ence to  the  water  of  the  Hot  Springs,  at  least  in  detail  and  with  the 
scientific  accuracy  requisite  for  announcement  to  and  acceptance  by 
the  medical  world. 

The  relation  of  the  Federal  Government  to  the  springs,  and  the 
authority  it  exercises  with  reference  to  the  prescribing  of  the  water 
would  appear  to  amount  to  a  recommendation  for  its  use  in  certain 
cases,  and  consequently  it  may  be  assumed  that  there  devolves  an 


WATEES   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  5 

obligation  to  determine,  so  far  as  may  be  possible,  in  what  cases  it  is 
of  real  value,  and  bow  it  influences  the  functions  of  the  various  organs 
of  the  body. 

Very  respectfully,  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 


[Extract  from  the  report  of  the  medical  director  of  the  Hot  Springs  Reservation  for  the  year  1911.] 

The  physiological  effects  of  the  water  have  never  been  scientifically  and  accurately 
determined,  and  as  its  rational  use  can  not  be  thoroughly  understood  in  any  other  way 
it  is  recommended  that  a  competent  physiological  chemist  be  employed  to  conduct  a 
series  of  experiments  in  this  direction. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation, 
Office  of  Medical  Director, 
Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  April  19,  1912. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 

Washington,  D.  C. 
Sir:  The  letter  from  the  department  of  February  14,  1912,  with 
reference  to  the  proposed  investigation  of  the  physiological  effects  of 
the  water  of  the  Hot  Springs  reads  in  part  as  follows: 

I  have  to  request  that  you  will  take  up  the  subject  with  the  other  members  of  the 
Federal  registration  board  and  submit  a  general  outline  as  to  the  amount  of  money 
which  you  think  should  be  appropriated  by  Congress  for  this  purpose,  such  appropria- 
tion to  include  compensation  of  physicians  employed,  laboratory  facilities,  appliances, 
and  hospital  facilities  in  connection  with  the  matter. 

In  reply  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  in  compliance  with  the  above 
instructions  a  circular  letter,  a  copy  of  which  is  herewith  inclosed  and 
marked  "A,"  was  sent  December  19,  1912,  to  the  secretaries  of  a 
number  of  the  leading  medical  colleges  requesting  that  it  be  referred 
to  an  appropriate  committee  of  the  faculty  and  that  said  committee 
be  requested  to  submit  one  or  more  names  of  persons  qualified  to 
undertake  the  work.  Subsequently  more  detailed  communications 
were  sent  to  those  recommended  and  March  18,  1912,  another  circular 
letter,  a  copy  of  which  is  inclosed  herewith  and  marked  "B,"  was  sent 
to  all  the  members  of  the  American  Association  of  Biological  Chem- 
ists and  to  most  of  the  professors  of  the  practice  of  medicine  and  of 
materia  medica  and  therapeutics  in  the  class  A  medical  colleges.  All 
of  the  replies  received  to  date  are  inclosed  for  the  information  of  the 
department. 

Consideration  of  this  correspondence  and  of  known  facts  would 
appear  to  justify  the  following  conclusions: 

1.  Many  representative  nonresident  practitioners  view  the  thera- 
peutic resources  of  hot  springs  with  distrust  because  the  physiological 
action  of  the  water  never  has  definitely  and  scientifically  been  deter- 
mined by  competent  investigators  uninfluenced  by  personal  interests. 

2.  It  is  evident  that  there  is  a  suspicion  in  the  minds  of  some  that 
the  water  of  the  hot  springs  has  no  curative  properties  not  possessed 
by  any  water  heated  to  the  same  temperature.  If  this  be  so  the  public 
and  the  medical  profession  are  as  much  entitled  to  this  information  as 
to  know  what,  if  any,  its  distinctive  therapeutic  properties  are.  No 
other  view  can  ethically  be  sustained. 


6  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

:;.  The  Legitimate  therapeutic  value  of  the  water  and  of  the  resort 
should  be  determined  in  order  that  those  who  are  Buffering  from  ail- 
ments that  can  he  alleviated  by  treatment  at  the  springs  may  know 
of  that  fact  as  well  as  that  those  who  can  not  so  be  benefited  may  not 
be  misled.  'The  a<t  of  Congress  whjch  reserved  and  protected  the 
water  of  the  hot  springs  for  the  use  of  the  people  amounted  to  a  posi- 
tive and  official  declaration  that  it  possesses  unique  and  valuable 
therapeutic  properties.  In  administering  the  affairs  of  the  Hot 
Springs  Reservation  the  Government  is  to  all  intents  and  purposes 
praet  icing  medicine  on  an  enormous  scale  in  the  sense  that  it  sanctions 
and  recommends  to  t  he  people  of  the  entire  country  the  use  of  a  par- 
ticular remedial  agent.  Many  thousands,  having  faith  in  the  Govern- 
ment's indorsement,  make  use  of  this  remedy  each  year,  often  coming 
from  distant  States  at  an  expense  that  they  can  ill  afford.  Many 
unquestionably  are  greatly  benefited;  others  would  have  been  better 
off  had  they  sought  treatment  elsewhere  or  remained  at  home.  The 
Government  is  under  much  the  same  moral  obligation  to  determine 
the  pyhsiological  effects  of  the  remedy  it  sanctions  and  to  safeguard 
and  provide  for  its  proper  and  successful  administration  as  is  the  indi- 
vidual practitioner  when  he  prescribes  a  drug. 

4.  The  therapeutic  value  of  radium  is  established,  and  the  study  of 
the  physiological  effects  of  natural  radioactive  spring  waters  is  now 
occupying  the  attention  of  some  of  the  foremost  laboratory  workers 
and  clinicians  of  Germany. 

5.  There  is  a  reasonable  assurance  that  properly  conducted  inves- 
tigations would  afford  definite  scientific  data  of  real  and  lasting  value 
to  the  medical  profession  and  through  them  to  the  people. 

6.  It  is  absolutely  essential  that  the  proposed  investigations,  to  be 
of  value  and  to  warrant  acceptance  by  the  medical  profession,  should 
be  exhaustive  in  scope  and  cover  several  allied  fields  of  research. 
They  should  be  conducted  by  a  commission  composed  of  the  foremost 
men  in  their  respective  fields.  Physicians  having  personal  interests 
that  might  be  influenced  or  that  might  influence  them  should  not  be 
appointed.  It  is  very  desirable  to  identify  with  the  work  the  Carnegie 
and  Rockefeller  institutions  for  medical  research,  the  Bureau  of 
Chemistry  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  and  the  Public  Health 
and  Marine-Hospital  Service. 

7.  The  investigations  of  the  commission  should  deal  with  the  entire 
field  of  the  application  of  the  waters  of  the  hot  springs  to  the  relief  and 
cure  of  disease  and  not  be  confined  merely  to  a  study  of  its  physio- 
logical effects.  Under  these  conditions  it  is  believed  they  might 
properly  and  advantageously  express  opinions  and  make  recommenda- 
tions covering  all  of  the  subject-matter  included  in  the  annual  report 
of  the  medical  director  and  thus  greatly  assist  in  the  development  of 
public  sentiment  for  a  satisfactory  solution  of  many  difficult  problems. 
The  report  on  the  physiological  action  of  the  water  could  be  rendered 
separately  if  desired  and  the  other  subjects,  which  are  of  almost  equal 
importance  to  the  welfare  of  patients,  covered  in  a  supplementary 
paper. 

8.  It  is  useless  to  attempt  such  work  through  any  less  thorough  and 
far  reaching  investigations  and  without  an  adequate  appropriation. 

9.  At  least  two  years  will  be  required  for  the  work. 

10.  Whatever  may  be  determined  as  to  the  specific  curative  proper- 
ties of  the  water  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  there  is  ample  justifica- 
tion for  the  maintenance  of  a  resort  of  an  essentially  national  character 


WATEES   OP   HOT   SPRINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  7 

at  tlie  springs.  Should  the  commission  determine  definitely  that  the 
water  is  of  therapeutic  value,  even  in  a  restricted  group  of  ailments, 
the  importance  of  having  that  fact  attested  to  the  medical  profession 
through  the  type  of  commission  contemplated  can  scarcely  be  over- 
estimated. Such  a  report  would  be  accorded  international  circula- 
tion and  text  books  on  the  practice  of  medicine  would  soon  contain 
references  to  treatment  at  Hot  Springs  as  they  now  indicate  the  class 
of  cases  suitable  for  "the  cure"  at  Carlsbad  or  Nauheim. 

It  is  impossible  at  the  present  time  to  prepare  an  accurate  estimate 
for  the  necessary  appropriation.  By  referring  to  the  letters  of  Profs. 
L.  B.  Mendel  and  Victor  Vaughan  it  will  be  seen  there  is  a  considerable 
variation  in  the  figures  given.  The  cost  will  vary  greatly  in  accord- 
ance with  the  scope  of  the  investigation  and  the  personnel  and  number 
of  the  members  of  the  commission,  and  can  only  be  determined  accu- 
rately after  organization  and  the  outlining  of  the  work.  Prof.  Men- 
del suggests  that  it  might  be  possible  to  induce  desirable  men  to  serve 
for  an  honorarium,  traveling  expenses  and  a  per  diem  allowance. 
The  cost  will  be  materially  lessened  if  the  facilities  of  the  Army  and 
Navy  General  Hospital  be  obtained,  if  a  laboratory  can  be  established 
there,  and  if  competent  investigators  can  be  detailed  from  the  other 
Federal  medical  services.  Much  will  depend  upon  the  number  of 
healthy  individuals  experimented  upon  or  used  as  controls,  as  such 
men  would  have  to  be  paid  not  less  than  a  dollar  a  day  plus  subsist- 
ence and  hospital  accommodations. 

Of  the  members  of  the  Federal  registration  board,  Drs.  Dake  and 
Steer  are  of  the  opinion  that  $100,000  will  be  required;  Dr.  Martin 
believes  that  $75,000  will  suffice. 

It  is  recommended  that  an  effort  be  made  to  secure  an  appropriation 
of  $50,000.  This  is  believed  to  be  a  reasonable  request  in  view  of  the 
importance  of  the  work  and  will  suffice  to  outline,  inaugurate  and  pur- 
sue the  investigations  for  a  period  of  from  one  to  two  years.  At 
the  expiration  of  this  time  if  satisfactory  conclusions  have  not  been 
reached  there  will  undoubtedly  be  data  available  from  which  the 
advisability  of  requesting  an  additional  appropriation  can  be 
determined. 

The  detailed  estimate  inclosed  is  as  accurate  as  I  have  been  able  to 
prepare  in  view  of  the  unusual  character  of  the  work.  It  provides  for 
every  necessary  expenditure  for  the  period  of  two  years,  the  estimates 
for  the  first  and  second  years  being  shown  separately.  There  is 
attached  to  the  estimate  a  bill  for  the  desired  appropriation. 
Very  respectfully, 

Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation, 
Office  of  Medical  Director, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  December  19,  1911 . 
The  Secretary,  University  of  Columbia, 

New  York  City. 
Dear  Sir:  The  Secretary  of  the  Interior  has  directed  me  to  make 
due  inquiry  and  ascertain  if  possible  the  name  of  some  physiological 
chemist  competent  to  conduct  a  series  of  experiments  with  a  view  to 


8  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

i 

determining,  so  far  as  may  be  practicable,  the  exact  physiological 
effects  of  the  water  o(  the  Hot  Springs  of  Arkansas.  These  investi- 
gations should  be  made  by  one  whose  standing  and  qualifications  are 
such  that  the  findings  will  be  accepted  by  the  medical  profession  as 
reliable  scientific  research.  I  therefore  beg  to  inquire  if  it  would  be 
practicable  for  you  to  vcU-v  this  matter  to  an  appropriate  committee 
of  the  faculty  with  the  request  that  they  submit  one  or  more  names  of 
persons  qualified  to  undertake  this  work. 

It  has  already  been  determined  that  there  is  no  officer  of  the 
Medical  Department  of  "the  Army,  the  Navy,  or  the  Marine-Hospital 
Service  available. 

Thanking  you  for  any  assistance  you  may  be  able  to  render,  I  have 
the  honor  to  remain. 

Very  respectfully,  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 

A  letter  similar  to  the  one  attached  was  also  sept  to  the  following: 

The  secretary,  Harvard  University,  Cambridge,  Mass. 

The  secretary,  University  of  Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

The  secretary,  Johns  Hopkins  University,  Baltimore,  Md. 

The  secretary,  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

The  secretary,  University  of  Chicago,  Chicago,  111. 

Dr.  Alexander  R.  Craig,  secretary,  the  American  Medical  Association,  Chicago,  111. 


Letters  received  from  representatives  of  leading  medical  colleges  and  mem- 
bers of  the  medical  profession  in  relation  to  proposed  investigation  of 
the  physiological  and  therapeutic  effects  of  the  waters  of  the  hot  springs 
of  Arkansas. 

The  University  of  Chicago,  January  31,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs,.  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  19th  ultimo,  asking  the  names  of  one 
or  more  persons  qualified  to  investigate  the  action  of  the  waters  of  the 
Hot  springs  and  directed  to  the  secretary  of  this  university,  has  been 
referred  to  me. 

I  would  suggest  the  names  of  the  following  physiologists  who  would 
be  qualified  to  undertake  the  work  you  mention: 

1.  Dr.  Ralph  S.  Lillie,  department  of  zoology,  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

2.  Prof.  E.  P.  Lyon,  professor  of  physiology,  St.  Louis  University, 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

3.  Prof.  Waldemar  Koch,  assistant  professor  of  pharmacology,  of 
this  university. 

4.  Prof.  Abel  or  Howell  of  Johns  Hopkins  University,  Baltimore, 
Md. 

There  are  many  other  names  which  might  be  given,  but  these  occur 
to  me  as  men  of  ability  who  have  worked  along  these  lines. 
Very  truly,  yours, 

Albert  P.  Mathews. 


waters  of  hot  springs  of  arkansas.  9 

Johns  Hopkins  University, 
Department  of  Pharmacology, 

Baltimore,  December  29,  1911. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Department  of  the  Interior, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir  :  Your  letter  of  recent  date  in  reference  to  a  physiological 
chemist  has  been  referred  by  the  registrar  to  me.  I  would  suggest 
that  you  apply  to  the  council  on  pharmacy  and  chemistry  of  the 
American  Medical  Association,  535  Dearborn  Avenue,  Chicago,  111., 
for  assistance  in  this  matter.  You  will  be  almost  sure  to  learn  from 
them  of  someone  who  can  do  this  work  for  you. 
Very  truly,  yours, 

John  J.  Abel. 


Johns  Hopkins  University, 
Department  of  Physiology, 

Baltimore,  Ma1,.,  February  26,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

Dear  Sir:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  Feb- 
ruary 20,  in  regard  to  the  investigation  of  the  physiological  action  of 
the  waters  of  the  hot  springs.  As  your  letter  was  directed  to  Prof. 
Abel  W.  Howell,  I  am  a  little  uncertain  whether  it  was  meant  for  my 
colleague  Prof.  J.  J.  Abel  or  for  myself.  For  myself  I  can  only  say 
that  it  would  scarcely  be  possible  for  me  to  leave  my  work  to  engage 
in  such  an  investigation.  It  would  seem  to  me  that  if  adequate  facili- 
ties can  be  obtained  such  an  investigation  might  yield  very  interesting 
and  possibly  practically  valuable  results.  If  I  were  directing  the  work 
I  should  want  to  make  a  preUminary  investigation  upon  animals — dogs 
or  rabbits — since  naturally  in  some  respects  this  would  enable  the 
experimentor  to  control  his  results  more  satisfactorily.  Such  results 
as  were  obtained  could  then  be  studied  by  way  of  corroboration  upon 
man.  The  action  of  the  water  ought  to  be  studied  upon  the  general 
metabolism,  the  respiratory  exchange,  heat  production  (calorimetric) , 
blood  and  circulation,  reactions  of  the  nervous  system,  excretion,  etc. 

If  you  could  obtain  his  services,  Prof.  Mendel  (L.  B.  Mendel),  Yale 
University,  New  Haven,  Conn.,  would  probably  be  the  best  qualified 
man.  If  he  can  not  accept  such  work  himself  he  may  be  able  to  desig- 
nate a  younger  man  who  will  carry  out  experiments  under  his 
directions. 

Very  truly,  yours,  W.  H.  Howell. 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Hot  Springs  Eeservation, 
Office  of  Medical  Director, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  February  29,  1912. 
Prof.  L.  B.  Mendel, 

Yale  University,  New  Haven,  Conn. 
Sir:  There  is  under  consideration  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior 
the  advisability  of  conducting  a  series  of  experiments  to  determine 
the  physiological  effects  of  water  of  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas. 


10  WATERS   OF    HOT    SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

Over  100,000  people  visit  this  resort  each  year  and  the  therapeutic 
value  of  the  haths  in  certain  conditions  is  well  established.  It  is 
believed  that  an  appropriation  by  Congress  can  he  obtained  to  carry 
on  these  experiments  and  it  is  thought  that  a  physiological  chemist 
working  in  conjunction  with  a  commission  consisting  of  the  medical 
director  of  the  Hot  Springs  Reservation,  the  Federal  hoard  of  med- 
ical examiners  and  possibly  one  or  two  delegates  from  the  County 
Medical  Society  would  he  able  to  thoroughly  study  and  scientifically 
investigate  both  the  therapeutic  and  the  physiological  effects  and  to 
place  before  the  medical  profession  experimental  data  of  value. 

It  i>  believed  that  the  cooperation  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  the  Public  Health  and  Marine-Hospital 
Service  can  he  secured  a-  well  as  the  facilities  of  the  Army  and  Navy 
General  Hospital.  The  work  would  probably  extend  over  at  least 
a  year  and  possibly  longer. 

Your  name  has  been  suggested  as  one  eminently  competent  in  the 
research  held  and  I  therefore  beg  to  inquire  as  to  whether  in  your 
opinion  it  would  be  possible  to  obtain  results  from  this  line  of  work 
that  would  be  of  real  value  to  the  medical  profession  and  commen- 
surate with  the  expenditure  involved. 

Would  you  be  willing  to  accept  such  an  appointment  if  it  were 
formally  tendered  to  you  and  at  what  compensation?  Could  you 
give  an  estimate  of  the  probable  total  cost  including  your  own  com- 
pensation, that  of  all  necessary  apparatus  and  supplies,  the  employ- 
ment of  subjects  for  experiments  in  the  study  of  blood  and  excretory 
changes,  etc.,  covering  the  work  of  the  commission  for  the  period  of 
one  year? 

There  are  enclosed  for  your  information  certain  papers  and  reports 
that  it  is  believed  may  be  of  interest  in  connection  with  the  subject. 
Very  respectfully. 

Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 

A  copy  of  the  attached  letter  was  also  sent  to  the  following: 

Prof.  E.  P.  Lyon,  professor  of  physiology,  St.  Louis  University,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Prof.  Waldemar  Koch,  assistant  professor  of  pharmacology,  University  of  Chicago, 
Chicago,  111. 

Prof.  Abel  W.  Howell,  Johns  Hopkins  University,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Dr.  Ralph  S.  Little,  department  of  zoology,  University  of  Pennsylvania,  Phila- 
delphia, Pa. 

Prof.  Jacob  Rosenbloom,  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  437  West  Fifty-ninth 
Street.  New  York  City.  N.  Y. 

Prof.  Yictor  Yaughan,  M.  D.,  University  of  Michigan,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

Prof.  A.  E.  Taylor,  Medical  School.  University  of  Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Sheffield  Laboratory  Physiological  Chemistry, 

Yale  University, 
New  Haven,  Conn.,  March  6,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
My  Dear  Sir:  I  desire  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
of  February  29,  with  reference  to  the  possibility  of  a  series  of  experi- 
ments to  determine  the  physiological  effects  of  the  waters  of  the  hot 
springs. 


WATEES   OP   HOT   SPRINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  H 

In  view  of  the  importance  and  scope  of  the  questions  raised  in  your 
communication,  it  will  be  necessary  for  me  to  delay  a  formal  and 
definite  reply  until  I  can  consider  with  some  care  the  problems  which 
are  involved  therein.  Any  investigation  along  the  lines  outlined  by 
you  will  call  for  careful  and  exhaustive  studies  in  several  related  fields ; 
and  in  order  to  give  you  some  facts  and  opinions  which  are  likely  to  be 
of  any  value  to  you  I  must  ask  for  a  brief  time  in  which  to  give  ques- 
tions at  issue  and  the  probability  of  useful  outcome  to  research  more 
careful  consideration.  I  assume,  from  statements  in  the  documents 
which  you  forwarded  to  me,  that  at  the  present  time  the  unique 
therapeutic  properties  of  the  spring  waters  are  in  good  part  ascribed 
to  radio-active  manifestations.  These  are,  as  you  well  know,  being 
widely  investigated  in  some  of  the  foremost  laboratories  of  Europe. 
Very  respectfully, 

Lafayette  B.  Mendel. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation, 
Office  of  Medical  Director, 
Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  March  12,  1912. 
Prof.  Lafayette  B.  Mendal, 

Sheffield  Laboratory  of  Physiological  Chemistry, 

Tale  University,  New  Haven,  Conn. 
My  Dear  Sir:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  your  letter  of  March  6  in 
reply  to  mine  of  February  29,  1912,  and  thank  you  sincerely  for  the 
interest  and  attention  you  have  given  the  matter.  Should  the  in- 
vestigations be  undertaken  it  will  doubtless  take  some  time  to  arrange 
the  details,  but  there  is  one  point  that  it  is  greatly  desired  to  have 
settled  at  once  and  that  is  the  determination  of  the  sum  to  be  re- 
quested from  Congress  for  carrying  on  the  work.  This  must  be  deter- 
mined by  April  1  in  order  to  have  the  bill  presented  during  the  present 
session. 

I  am  in  receipt  of  a  letter  from  the  department  which  reads  in  part 
as  follows: 

I  have  to  request  that  you  will  take  up  the  subject  with  the  other  members  of  the 
Federal  registration  board  and  submit  a  general  outline  as  to  the  amount  of  money 
which  you  think  should  be  appropriated  by  Congress  for  this  purpose,  and  such  appro- 
priation to  include  compensation  of  physicians  employed,  laboratory  facilities,  appli- 
ances, and  hospital  facilities  in  connection  with  the  matter. 

In  submitting  the  estimate  of  the  amount  to  be  appropriated  for  this  purpose  a  lump 
sum  will  be  asked  for,  out  of  which  all  necessary  expenses,  including  compensation  of 
experts,  etc.,  is  to  be  paid,  and  it  is  also  proposed  to  suggest  to  Congress  that  the  Secre- 
tary of  War,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  the  Public  Health  and  the  Marine-Hospital 
Service,  be  authorized  to  cooperate  with  this  department  in  handling  the  subject,  the 
entire  matter  to  be  under  the  supervision  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

It  would  be  of  material  assistance  if  you  would  be  willing  to  give  at 
least  an  approximate  estimate  as  to  the  necessary  expenditures  basing 
the  figures  on  the  work  of  such  a  commission  for  the  first  year,  and 
also  if  you  could  express  an  opinion  as  to  the  number  of  years  that 
would  be  required  to  complete  the  work. 

It  is  believed  that  hospital  facilities  can  be  obtained  at  the  Army 
nd  Navy  General  Hospital  without  cost  other  than  the  subsistence 


12  WATERS   OF    HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

of  patients.  Information  is  especially  desired  as  to  the  probable  cost 
of  i  be  following  items: 

Compensation  of  experl . 

( !ompensatioD  of  assistant . 

Chemical  laboratory  equipmenl  and  operation  (exclusive  of  build- 
ing). 

Number  and  cost  of  animals  used  for  experimental  purposes. 

Number  of  healthy  subjects  to  be  employed  Tor  experimental 
purposes. 

Number  Of  patients  to  be  observed. 

Thanking  you  for  any  assistance  you  may  be  able  to  render,  I  am, 
Very  truly,  yours, 

Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 


Sheffield  Laboratory  of 
Physiological  Chemistry,  Yale  University, 

New  Haven,  Conn.,  March  18,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  desire  herewith  to  reply  to  your  letters  of  Feb- 
ruary 2(.t,  and  March  12,  in  regard  to  the  advisability  of  undertaking  a 
series  of  investigations  upon  the  therapeutic  and  physiological  effects 
of  the  baths  at  the  Hot  Springs  Reservation.  Several  distinct  ques- 
tions raised  in  your  communications  must  be  answered  independently. 

In  considering  the  probable  value  of  any  further  elaborate  research 
on  the  physiological  effects  of  the  waters  it  must  be  borne  in  mind 
that  there  already  exists  an  enormous  literature  on  balneotheraphy. 
The  Government  circular  which  accompanied  the  documents  sent  to 
me  states  that  "the  therapeutic  value  or  the  baths  is  dependent  upon 
the  radioactivity  of  the  waters."  This  aspect  of  the  subject  has  been 
under  consideration  in  very  recent  years  only.  The  observations  on 
the  physiological  and  therapeutic  effects  of  radium  emanation  which 
have  Lately  been  reported  by  competent  observers,  e.  g.,  from  the 
clinics  of  His  in  Berlin  and  Von  Xoorden  in  Vienna,  encourage  the 
belief  that  there  is  n  useful  field  of  investigation  in  this  direction  which 
deserves  careful  and  speedy  attention.  In  justification  for  this  state- 
ment I  may  cpiote  from  a  recent  communication  from  Prof,  von 
Noorden  and  Dr.  Falta  in  Vienna: 

Die  Emanationskuren  haben  einen  miichtigen  Einfluss  auf  wichtige  Stoffwechsel- 
prozesee  und  auf  den  Erregungszustand  des  vegetativen  Nervensystems  und  erfordern 
ebeuso wie die Behandlung  mil  Kohlensaurebadern  und  andere Bade-  oderTrinkkuren 
voile  Bingabe  an  die  Anibrderungen  der  Kur.  Es  scheint  ratsam,  die  Emanatorien 
hauptsachlich  in  Kurorten,  Spitalern  und  Sanatorien  zu  errichten,  wo  die  Patienten 
aue  der  BerufsarbeiJ  ausgeschaltet  sind.  Naturgemass  werden  hierfur  solche  Kurorte 
die  gunstigsten  Yorhaltnisse  darbieten,  wo  auch  natiirliche  Radiumbader  zur  Ver- 
rugung  -ifhen. 

Emanation  cures  have  a  powerful  influence  on  important  processes  of  metabolism 
and  on  the  excitability  of  the  living  nervous  system  and  require,  the  same  as  treatment 
with  carbonic  acid  and  other  bathing  and  drinking  cures,  a  complete  compliance  with 
the  requirements  of  the  treatment . 

It  appears  advisable  to  establish  emanation  cures  principally  in  bathing  resorts, 
hospitals,  and  sanitoria,  where  the  paitents  are  removed  from  the  usual  work  of  their 
respective  occupations. 


WATEES   OF   HOT   SPEINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  13 

Naturally  the  most  favorable  conditions  will  be  afforded  by  bathing  resorts  where 
natural  radium  baths  are  also  available.     (Translation  of  German  quotation.) 

I  have  no  specific  information  at  hand  regarding  the  actual  com- 
position of  the  hot  springs  water;  but  if  their  radioactive  properties 
are  of  sufficient  significance  to  warrant  scientific  exploitation  in  the 
form  here  indicated,  a  careful  and  responsible  investigation  along  the 
lines  proposed  is,  in  my  judgment,  both  desirable  and  timely. 

With  respect  to  the  conduct  of  such  an  investigation  I  am  con- 
vinced that  the  cooperation  of  a  number  of  men  in  different  depart- 
ments of  research  whose  fitness  in  respect  to  both  training  and  ability 
is  widely  recognized,  would  alone  give  any  report  the  prominence  and 
authority  which  is  desired.  No  investigation  will  be  worth  while 
which  fails  to  carry  with  it  the  stamp  of  scientific  excellence  and  cri- 
tique. In  view  of  the  circumstances  involved  it  seems  to  me  most 
practicable  to  have  the  responsibility  for  the  plan  and  general  execu- 
tion of  such  an  investigation  invested  in  a  commission.  The  latter 
should  include  men  of  acknowledged  capacity  in  medical  fields  and 
the  underlying  sciences,  both  clinicians  and  physiologists  (which  of 
course  includes  the  physiological  chemist)  who  could  not  only  broadly 
direct  the  scope  of  the  work,  but  what  is  equally  important  could 
competently  criticize  and  evaluate  the  data.  The  general  objection  to 
a  commission  constituted  of  delegates  from  county  medical  societies, 
etc.,  as  indicated  in  your  letter  of  February  29,  lies  in  the  unfitness 
of  such  individuals,  as  a  rule,  to  contribute  in  any  peculiarly  useful 
or  expert  way  to  the  real  duties  of  such  a  commission.  Their  work 
is  likely  to  be  perfunctory,  subject  to  the  bias  of  local  traditions  or  the 
influence  of  important  home  interests.  It  might  also  be  difficult  to 
induce  first-class  investigators  to  work  under  the  direction  of  an  un- 
sympathetic board.  A  further  highly  advantageous  feature  of.  the 
commission  system  constituted  of  several  competent  scientists  is  the 
presumable  elimination  of  the  danger  of  errors  from  the  judgment  of 
single  individuals.  We  have  suffered  enough  in  this  country  from 
such  one-man  pronouncements.  Much  useless  and  uncalled  for  work 
has  been  done  in  the  name  of  science  and  under  authoritative  sanction 
owing  to  the  elimination  of  critical  review  by  competent  colleagues. 

The  cost  of  a  comprehensive  investigation  along  the  lines  sug- 
gested will,  of  course,  depend  on  its  scope  and  on  the  personnel  of 
the  commission.  Having  in  mind  the  necessary  laboratory  facilities 
and  equipment,  a  number  of  laboratory  workers  (chemists,  assistants, 
and  helpers),  eight  or  ten  subjects,  and  their  maintenance,  and 
experimental  animals,  I  estimate  an  outlay  of  at  least  $1,500  per 
month  in  this  direction.  To  this  should  be  added  an  initial  cost  of 
establishing  a  laboratory  outfit.  In  Hot  Springs  (where  no  such 
outfit  is  now  available)  this  ought  not  to  exceed  $2,000.  To  com- 
plete the  budget  for  the  first  year  the  salary  of  a  supervising  physio- 
logical chemist  must  be  added.  It  will  be  impossible  to  deflect  anyone 
of  the  experience  and  rank  of  assistant  professor  in  our  universities 
to  such  work  at  a  salary  less  than  $3,000  per  year.  This  would  seem 
to  me  to  represent  the  type  of  man  to  cooperate  with  the  commission 
as  proposed  in  my  suggestion.  A  scientist  of  higher  professional 
rating  and  ability  ought  to  command  a  higher  income  for  obvious 
reasons. 


J  4  WATERS   OF    HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

Ad  expenditure  of  about  $25,000  for  the  first  year  is  thus  provided 
for.  The  estimates  are  hascd  on  my  experience  in  such  matters  in 
larger  researches  in  our  laboratory,  on  the  published  budgets  of  the 
Carnegie  Institution  nutrition  investigations,  and  on  the  experiences 

of  the  Referee  Board  of  Consulting  Seientiiic  Exnerts  of  the  United 
Stai<-  Departmenl  of  Agriculture.  It  must  be  Dome  in  mind  that 
there  are  no  opportunities  at  Hot  Springs  to  use  the  equipment  of 
established  research  plants,  such  as  universities.  The  cost  of  re- 
search may  thus  be  raised.  Such  an  investigation  ought  to  give 
valuable  indications  within  two  years.  From  the  standpoint  of 
therapeutic  evidence  a  longer  collection  of  statistical  data  might  be 
desirable. 

In  considering  the  make-up  of  a  commission  of  three  (or  five) 
members  in  addition  to  the  supervising  physiological  chemist  and 
the  medical  director,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  desirable  individuals 
can  be  induced  to  serve  from  a  sense  of  public  duty  and  scientific 
interest,  without  what  might  strictly  be  termed  a  salary.  Such 
individuals  should,  of  course,  receive  compensation  for  traveling 
expenses,  or  similar  outlay,  together  with  a  modest  honorarium  in 
proportion  to  the  time  required  of  them.  The  outlay  thus  involved 
is  not  taken  into  consideration  in  the  above  estimate  because  the 
amount  involved  will  depend  entirely  on  the  plan  followed.  It  may 
be  noted  that  highly  competent  investigators,  such  as  Prof.  Reid  Hunt 
of  the  Hygienic  Laboratory  of  Washington,  might  be  directly  available 
through  the  cooperation  of  the  Public  Health  and  Marine-Hospital 
Service. 

Will  the  results  be  commensurate  with  the  expenditure  involved  ? 
The  answer  depends  on  the  mental  attitude  of  those  who  expect 
the  reply.  If  a  group  of  foremost  American  citizens,  whose  experi- 
ence and  judgment  is  attested  by  their  position,  do  not  hesitate  to 
authorize  the  expenditure  of  half  a  million  dollars  for  astronomical 
research  in  one  institution  alone,  and  when  successful  American  firms 
feel  justified  hi  expending  $4,000  for  a  single  page  advertisement  of 
an  article  of  uncertain  merit,  shall  we  debate  the  question  asked  ? 

Finally,  in  reply  to  your  tentative  inquiry  as  to  whether  I  would 
be  willing  to  accept  the  appointment  as  physiological  chemist,  if  it 
were  formally  tendered,  I  may  say  that  my  academic  and  research 
preferences  and  duties  at  present  are  such  that  I  would  not  care  to  do 
so.  If  an  occasion  should  arise  in  which  I  might  be  of  service  in 
some  less  direct  way  than  through  resident  activity  in  Hot  Springs — 
more  specifically  if  I  might  be  desired  to  cooperate  in  some  advisory 
function — my  readiness  to  serve  might  be  considered. 
Respectfully, 

Lafayette  B.  Mendel. 

P.  S. — If  a  personal  interview  would  be  helpful  to  you  in  any  way 
while  you  are  making  the  preliminary  plans  I  shall  be  glad  to  have 
you  or  other  representatives  meet  me  here  or  in  some  convenient 
place. 

L.  B.  M. 


watees  of  hot  springs  of  arkansas.  15 

Department  of  the  Interior, 
Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Office  of  Medical  Director, 
Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  March  25,  1912. 
Prof.  Lafayette  B.  Mendel, 

Sheffield  Laboratory  of  Physiological  Chemistry, 

Yale  University,  New  Haven,  Conn. 
Dear  Prof.  Mendel:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  your  letter  of  March 
18,  1912,  and  desire  to  express  my  deep  appreciation  of  the  very 
careful  consideration  you  have  given  to  my  inquiries. 

All  of  the  correspondence  with  reference  to  the  proposed  investiga- 
tions will  be  forwarded  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  in  due  time 
and  I  am  sure  that  the  officials  of  the  department  in  Washington 
will  appreciate  your  courtesy  as  much  as  I  do. 
Very  respectfully, 

Harry  M.   Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 


Department  of  the  Interior. 
Hot  Springs  Reservation, 
Office  of  Medical  Director, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  February  8,  1912. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Sir:  July  10,  1911,  recommendation  was  made  by  this  office  that 
provision  be  made  for  a  complete  study  of  the  physiological  effects 
of  the  water  of  the  hot  springs.  By  letter  from  the  department  of 
December  6,  1911,  I  was  instructed  to  "make  due  inquiry  and  ascer- 
tain if  possible  the  name  of  some  competent  person  to  do  this  work 
and  the  compensation  he  would  be  willing  to  accept  therefor." 
December  19,  1911,  a  circular  letter  was  addressed  to  the  secretary 
of  the  American  Medical  Association  and  to  the  secretaries  of  the 
leading  medical  colleges  of  the  country  outlining  in  a  general  way 
the  proposed  investigations  and  requesting  the  nomination,  in  each 
instance,  by  an  appropriate  committee  of  the  faculty,  of  a  biological 
chemist  of  recognized  standing  and  ability.  February  20,  1912,  a 
circular  letter  was  sent  to  each  of  the  physiological  chemists,  recom- 
mended by  the  committees  of  the  faculties  referred  to,  giving  a  more 
detailed  outline  of  the  general  proposition,  requesting  an  expression 
of  opinion  as  to  the  advisability  of  undertaking  the  study  and  an 
estimate  of  the  cost.  Only  a  few  replies  have  been  received  so  far. 
The  general  plan,  however,  is  indorsed  by  Prof.  Otto  Folin  of  Harvard 
University,  Prof.  Victor  Vaughan  of  the  University  of  Michigan, 
Prof.  A.  E.  Taylor  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Prof. 
Ralph  S.  Lillie  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  The  secretarj7 
of  the  American  Medical  Association  has  expressed  much  interest 
and  referred  the  letter  to  the  council  on  therapeutic  research.  Prof. 
Otto  Folin  has  furnished  me  with  a  list  of  the  members  of  the  Ameri- 
can Society  of  Biological  Chemists. 

The  proposed  undertaking  is  one  of  considerable  magnitude.  Such 
a  series  of  investigations  would  require  at  least  a  year  and  quite  pos- 
sibly two  or  three  years.     A  chemical  analysis  of  the  water  is  a  simple 


16  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

proposition.  The  study  of  the  physiological  effects  involving  obscure 
changes  in  the  metabolism  of  the  Living  body  is  an  extremely  difficult 
problem.  It  is  quite  within  the  bounds  of  possibility  thai  definite 
results  could  not  be  obtained.  It  therefore  appears  desirable  to 
obtain  an  expression  of  opinion  from  a  considerable  number  of  com- 
petent men  as  to  the  advisability  of  undertaking  the  work  and  tbe 
probability  of  its  yielding  scientific  data  that  will  be  of  real  value  to 
the  medical  profession  and  through  tliem  to  Buffering  humanity. 
It  is  also  believed  that  as  lull  indorsement  of  the  plan  should  be 
secured  as  possible  in  connection  with  the  effort  to  secure  from  Con- 
gress the  necessary  appropriation. 

1  have  accordingly  prepared  a  circular  letter,  a  copy  of  which  is 
inclosed  with  the  intention,  if  it  meets  witb  the  approval  of  the 
department,  of  forwarding  a  copy  to  every  member  of  tbe  American 
Society  of  Biological  Chemists  and  to  the  professors  who  are  occupy- 
ing the  chairs  of  the  practice  of  medicine  and  of  therapeutics  and 
materia  medica  in  the  class  A  medical  colleges  These  are  the  men 
who  are  most  directly  in  touch  with  the  problems  involved  and  with 
clinical  medicine.  It  is  believed  that  this  plan  wi  1  bring  a  sufficient 
number  of  replies  rom  competent  sources  to  settle  definitely  any 
ossibl  ■  question  as  to  the  advisability  of  undertaking  tbe  work. 

As  it  is  impracticable  with  the  clerical  assistance  available  to 
promptly  conduct  the  correspondence  involved,  I  have  the  honor  to 
request  that  the  department  have  the  circular  letter  multigraphed 
and  that  I  be  furnished,  for  inclosure,  copies  of  the  circular  of  general 
information  and  the  medical  director's  annual  report. 

The  number  of  each  required  is  as  follows: 

Circular  letter  multigraphed 200 

Medical  director's  annual  report 200 

Circular  of  general  information 200 

There  has  been  forwarded  to  the  department,  under  separate  cover, 
225  letter  heads  for  the  multigraphed  letter. 
Very  respectfully, 

Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 
Hot  Springs  Reservation, 
Office  of  Medical  Director, 
Hot  Springs,  Ark., 


Sir:  The  Secretary  of  the  Interior  is  considering  the  advisability 
of  conducting  a  series  of  experiments  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
the  physiological  effects  of  the  water  of  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas. 
The  faith  of  the  laity  in  its  remedial  and  curative  properties  is  well 
established,  and  a  steadily  increasing  number  come  to  the  springs 
each  year  for  treatment.  There  are  now  upward  of  100,000  visitors 
annually.  Through  the  establishment  of  the  office  of  the  medical 
director  there  is  now  direct  medical  supervision  over  the  administra- 
tion of  the  baths  and  an  earnest  effort  is  being  made  by  the  Federal 
Government  to  place  the  medical  service  on  a  high  ethical  plane. 
As  part  of  this  general  policy  it  is  thought  that  a  study  of  the  physio- 
logical effects  of  the  water  is  of  first  importance. 


WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  17 

A  complete  chemical  examination  has  been  made  by  Prof.  J.  K. 
Haywood  of  the  Bureau  of  Chemistry  of  the  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture and  by  Prof.  Walter  Harvey  Weed  of  the  United  States  Geolog- 
ical Survey.  In  1905  the  department  secured  the  services  of  Prof. 
B.  B.  Boltwood  and  Prof.  Joseph  Hyde  Pratt  for  further  analysis. 
Their  report  contains  the  following  conclusions: 

(1)  The  waters  of  the  springs  on  the  Hot  Springs  Reservation  are  all  radioactive  to 
a  marked  degree. 

(2)  The  radioactivity  of  the  waters  is  due  to  dissolved  radium  emanation  (a  gas)  and 
not  to  the  presence  of  salts  of  radium  or  other  radioactive  solids. 

(3)  The  tufa  deposited  by  the  springs  does  not  contain  appreciable  traces  of  radium. 

A  letter  has  been  received  from  the  secretary  of  the  council  on 
pharmacy  and  chemistry  of  the  American  Medical  Association  stating 
that  the  council's  committee  on  therapeutic  research  has  been  plan- 
ning to  secure  the  cooperation  of  scientists  for  a  thorough  study  of 
the  therapeutic  value  of  mineral  waters,  and  it  is  also  noted  that  at 
the  sixty-second  annual  session  of  the  American  Medical  Association 
held  at  Los  Angeles  June  26  to  30,  1911,  the  following  resolution  was 
passed : 

Owing  to  the  importance  attributed  to  radioactive  mineral  waters  in  the  treatment 
of  gouty  and  other  affections  by  competent  European  observers  and  the  special  inter- 
est excited  by  the  symposium  on  the  subject  at  the  Thirty-second  Balneologic  Congress 
recently  held  in  Berlin,  the  section  on  pharmacology  and  therapeutics  of  the  American 
Medical  Association  requests  the  House  of  Delegates  to  suggest  to  the  United  States 
Government  the  advisability  of  investigating  the  radioactivity  of  the  various  mineral 
waters  of  the  United  States  and  publishing  the  results  for  the  benefit  of  the  medical 
profession. 

The  arrangement  contemplated  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior 
includes  the  securing  of  the  services  of  a  competent  physiological 
chemist  to  work  in  conjunction  with  a  commission  of  medical  men. 
It  is  thought  that  investigations  would  extend  over  one  and  possibly 
over  several  years.  It  is  believed  that  an  appropriation  from  Con- 
gress can  be  obtained  for  the  purpose  and  that  the  cooperation  of 
the  Medical  Departments  of  the  Army,  of  the  Navy,  and  of  the 
Marine-Hospital  Service  can  be  had,  together  with  the  facilities  of 
the  Army  and  Navy  General  Hospital  at  Hot  Springs. 

It  is  not  desired  to  enter  this  field  for  commercial  exploitation  but 
to  determine  the  legitimate  therapeutic  value  of  the  water,  and  to 
secure  the  respect  and  support  of  the  medical  profession  with  a  view 
to  the  development  in  our  own  country  of  a  spa  that  will  compare 
favorably  with  resorts  of  like  character  abroad. 

Before  requesting  an  appropriation  from  Congress  for  this  work  it 
is  desired  to  obtain  from  competent  sources  an  expression  of  opinion 
as  to  whether  there  is  a  reasonable  probability  that  a  series  of  bio- 
chemical investigations  conducted  by  competent  observers  upon  ani- 
mals and  upon  human  beings,  both  the  sick  and  the  well,  would  yield 
results  that  would  be  of  value  to  the  medical  profession  and  through 
them  to  suffering  humanity.  In  other  words,  is  the  subject  a  legiti- 
mate and  proper  one  for  scientific  research  from  the  standpoint  of 
clinical  medicine. 

There  are  inclosed  for  your  information  certain  reports  and  papers 
relative  to  the  subject,  and  it  is  hoped  you  will  favor  the  department 
with  an  expression  of  your  opinion.     Should  you  advise  that  the 

56511— H.  Doc.  905,  62-2 -2 


1  s  WATERS   OF    HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

work  be  undertaken,  any  recommendations  von  may  be  willing  to 
submit  as  to  the  best  method  of  procedure  will  be  carefully  considered. 
Thanking  you  for  any  assistance  thai  you  may  be  able  to  render, 
1  beg  to  remain. 

Very  truly,  your-.  Harry  M.  Hallcm  k. 

Medical  Direct 


The  Umvkksity   OF    1i.ii.noi>. 

Urbana,  III,  March  SI,  191$. 
Dr.  Harry  Hallock. 

Medical  Director,  Hoi  Springs  11  ( novation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

My  Dear  Dr.  Hallock:  Your  com  muni  cation  concerning  the 
proposition  to  ask  Congress  for  an  appropriation  to  cover  the  expense 
of  an  exhaustive  investigation  into  the  physiological  effect  of  the  hot 
springs  water  has  just  reached  me. 

A  thoroughly  scientific  study  of  a  far-reaching  character  of  this 
most  important  topic  would  without  doubt  yield  data  of  immense 
importance  to  the  physical  welfare  of  the  citizens  of  our  own  and 
other  countries.  I  was  extremely  gratified  when  the  American  Med- 
ical Association  in  session  at  Los  Angeles  passed  the  resolution  to 
which  reference  is  made  in  your  letter. 

The  pronounced  benefits  to  be  derived  from  the  proper  use  of  water 
both  externally  and  internally  have  not  been  fully  appreciated  by 
the  medical  fraternity,  to  say  nothmg  of  the  laity.  For  a  period  of 
two  to  three  years  we  have  been  devoting  considerable  time  to  the 
question  of  physiological  effect  of  ingested  water.  Under  separate 
cover  I  am  sending  you  reprints  of  some  of  our  publications.  Accord- 
ing to  our  data  the  free  use  of  water  with  meals  or  between  meals  is 
of  great  benefit  to  the  human  organism  from  every  standpoint  inves- 
tigated. We  have  also  been  interested  in  the  physiological  effect  of 
baths  but  have  been  unable  to  investigate  the  subject  because  of  the 
fact  that  the  investigations  on  water  drinking  and  on  fasting  have 
demanded  the  major  portion  of  the  energy  of  myself  and  statF.  In 
connection  with  one  oi  our  studies  we  made  a  short  superficial  study 
of  hot  baths,  using  two  normal  men  as  subjects.  The  data  are  not 
yet  in  form  for  publication. 

I  trust  that  you  may  be  successful  in  convincing  Congress  of  the 
very  great  need  for  an  extended  series  of  investigations  such  as  you 
propose.  I  say  "extended"  advisedly  for  you  wall  most  certainly 
need  to  investigate  a  large  number  of  cases  both  normal  and  clinical 
over  a  considerable  period  of  time  before  you  will  feel  warranted  in 
announcing  your  final  conclusions.  Work  of  this  character  to  meet 
the  approval  of  the  scientific  world  must  of  necessity  be  done  by  men 
of  proven  ability.  The  experimental  staff  would  of  necessity  be  large 
in  order  to  properly  conduct  an  investigation  of  that  character.  It  is 
my  belief  that  a  staff  of  10  to  15  men  with  scientific  or  medical  train- 
ing would  be  required  to  investigate  such  a  problem  from  all  sides, 
e.  g.,  clinical,  bacteriological,  pathological,  chemical,  biochemical, 
and  physiological. 


WATEKS   OP   HOT   SPRINGS   OP  ARKANSAS.  19 

I  have  outlined  no  definite  plan  of  procedure  but  have  simply  at- 
tempted to  impress  one  or  two  matters  of  prime  importance  in  the 
preliminary  organization  of  such  an  extensive  study  as  is  proposed. 
My  personal  scientific  and  research  interests  have  always  occupied 
channels  such  as  must  of  necessity  be  followed  by  your  hot  springs 
investigation  and  for  that  reason  it  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to  be 
of  any  possible  assistance  to  you  in  your  attempt  to  interest  Congress 
in  this  most  worthy  and  humane  proposition. 
Very  sincerely, 

P.  B.  Hawk, 
Professor  of  Physiological  Chemistry. 


American  Medical  Association, 
Council  on  Pharmacy  and  Chemistry, 

Chicago,  December  23,  1911. 
Maj.  H.  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Dr.  A.  R.  Craig,  secretary  of  the  American  Medical 
Association,  has  referred  your  letter  of  December  19  to  me.     I  am 
submitting  your  inquiry  to  the  council  and  it  will  receive  very  careful 
consideration. 

It  may  interest  you  to  know  that  the  council's  committee  on  thera- 
peutic research  has  been  planning  to  secure  the  cooperation  of  scien- 
tists for  a  thorough  study  of  the  therapeutic  value  of  mineral  waters. 
Yours,  truly, 

W.  A.  Puckner,  Secretary. 


American  Medical  Association, 
Council  on  Pharmacy  and  Chemistry, 

Chicago,  January  19,  1912. 
Maj.  H.  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Shi:  Your  letter  of  December  19  having  been  referred  to 
the  council's  committee  on  therapeutic  research,  the  chairman,  Dr. 
Torald  Sollmann,  asked  me  to  reply  that  it  would  appear  impossible 
to  make  any  suggestions  to  you  until  more  definite  information  is 
available  regarding  the  intended  scope  of  the  investigation.  He 
believes  that  it  is  doubtful  that  the  physiological  effects  of  the  waters 
could  be  determined  by  one  individual — certainly  not  by  a  physio- 
logical chemist.  It  is  Dr.  Sollmann's  opinion  that  it  would  probably 
require  a  commission  working  through  a  series  of  experiments  extend- 
ing over  some  years. 

If  the  council  or  its  research  committee  can  give  you  any  further 
aid  it  will  be  glad  to  do  so. 

Yours,  truly,  W.  A.  Puckner,  Secretary. 


20  WATBBS   OF    HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

Department  of  the  I  ntebiob, 
Hot  Springs  Reservation, 
(  m  in  e  of  Medical  Director, 
Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  February  20,  1912. 
Mr.  W.  A.  Pu<  ener, 

retary  American  Medical  Association, 

( Tiicago,  111. 
Deaf.  Sir:  Replying  to  your  letter  of  January  19,  1912,  in  answer 
to  my  inquiry   of  December  19,   1911,  on  the  subjecl  of  the  deter- 
mination of  the  physiological  effects  of  the  waters  of  the  hoi  springs 
of  Arkansas,  you  state — 

Dr.  Torald  Sollman  asked  me  to  reply  thai  it  would  appear  impossible  to  make  any 
suggestions  to  you  until  more  definite  information  is  available  regarding  the  intended 
scope  of  the  investigation.  He  beli<  ves  that  it  is  doubtful  that  the  physioloirieal 
effects  of  the  waters  could  be  determined  by  one  individual  certainly  not  by  a  phys- 
iological chemisl .  Et  is  1  >r.  Sollmann's  opinion  that  it  would  probably  require  a  com- 
mission working  through  a  series  of  experiments  extending  over  some  years. 

If  the  council  or  its  research  committee  can  give  you  any  further  aid.  it  will  be  glad 
to  do  so. 

The  therapeutic  value  of  the  springs  in  certain  conditions  appears 
to  ho  well  established  by  popular  concensus  of  opinion  of  the  many 
who  have  been  benefited  ana  by  physicians  who  have  had  an  oppor- 
tunity to  observe  the  effects  of  the  use  of  the  water.  Heretofore 
commercialism  has  had  an  undue  influence  in  local  conditions  and  in 
the  administration  of  the  baths.  Direct  medical  supervision  was 
established  September,  1910,  by  the  creation  of  the  office  of  medical 
director,  and  an  effort  is  now  being  made  to  develop,  along  legitimate 
and  ethical  lines,  whatever  therapeutic  resources  are  inherent  in  the 
waters  and  in  the  resort. 

It  i--  believed  that  an  appropriation  can  be  obtained  from  Congress 
for  the  purpose  of  conducting  a  series  of  experiments  to  determine 
the  physiological  effect  of  the  water,  and  that  such  work  could  be 
undertaken  by  a  commission  consisting  of  a  physiological  chemist, 
the  medical  director  of  the  reservation,  the  Federal  registration 
board,  all  of  whom  are  practicing  physicians  familiar  with  the  use  of 
the  waters,  and  possibly  one  or  more  members  of  the  county  medical 
society.  It  is  thought  that  the  facilities  of  the  Army  and  Navy 
general  hospital  could  be  obtained  and  possibly  the  cooperation  of 
members  of  the  medical  departments  of  the  Army  and  Navy,  and  of 
the  Marine-Hospital  and  Public-Health  Service.  It  is  assumed  that 
the  work  would  extend  over  a  considerable  period. 

The  most  important  point  to  determine  at  present  is  whether  it  is 
worth  while  to  undertake  this  work:  whether  there  is  a  reasonable 
probability  that  a  study  of  the  blood,  the  excretions,  etc..  in  health  and 
in  disease,  would  give  data  as  to  the  physiological  effect  sand  indications 
for  the  administration  of  the  water  that  would  be  of  value  of  the  medi- 
cal profession  of  the  country  and  through  them  to  suffering  humanity. 

There  are  inclosed  certain  reports  and  papers  that  have  some 
bearing  on  the  subject,  and  if  the  council  or  its  research  committee 
would  be  willing  to  express  an  opinion  as  to  the  advisability  of 
attempting  this  research  along  the  lines  suggested,  or  on  any  modifi- 
cations of  them,  their  action,  opinion,  or  recommendation  would  be 
valued  highly  and  most  carefully  considered. 
Very  respectfully, 

Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 


WATEES   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS.  21 

American  Medical  Association, 
'  Council  on  Pharmacy  and  Chemistry, 

Chicago,  February  23,  1912. 
Dr.  H.  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Dr.  Hallock:  I  have  received  your  letter  of  February  20 
and  shall  transmit  it  to  the  council. 

Personally,  I  am  very  much  interested  in  the  proposed  investiga- 
tion and  I  hope  that  the  council  may  be  of  some  aid  in  solving  the 
problems.  I  will  write  you  further  as  soon  as  the  matter  has  received 
consideration. 

Yours,  truly,  W.  A.  Puckner, 

Secretary. 


Harvard  University, 
Cambridge,  Mass.,  December  22,  1911. 
My  Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  December  19,  in  regard  to  a  physi- 
ological chemist  to  conduct  some  experiments  with  the  water  of  the 
hot  springs  of  Arkansas,  has  been  received. 

I  am  referring  it  to  the  secretary  of  the  Harvard  Medical  School, 
Dr.  Channing  Frothingham,  jr.,  who  will.  I  hope,  be  able  to  recom- 
mend to  you  a  competent  man.  for  the  work. 
Sincerely,  vours, 

E.  H.  Wells. 
Harry  M.  Hallock,  M.  D. 


Harvard  University  Medical  School, 

Boston,  Mass.,  December  27 ,  1911. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock. 

Dear  Mr.  Hallock:  Your  letter  of  December  19  is  at  hand,  and 
I  have  referred  it  to  Prof.  Otto  Folin,  our  professor  of  biological 
chemistry.     I  feel  sure  that  he  will  be  able  to  suggest  some  one  to 
you  if  there  is  anyone  available  around  this  part  of  the  country. 
Very  truly,  yours, 

C.  Frothingham,  Jr., 

Secretary. 


Department  of  Biological  Chemistry, 

Harvard  Medical  School, 

Boston,  January  2,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  to  Harvard  University  regarding  a  bio- 
chemical investigation  of  the  physiological  effect  of  the  hot  springs 
water  has  been  referred  to  me  for  an  answer.  In  my  opinion  it  is 
not  possible  to  determine  the  "exact  physiological  effects"  of  that 
water  with  any  such  degree  of  certainty  as  to  meet  with  general  and 
unqualified  acceptance.     An  investigation  of  the  kind  referre     to 


22  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

would  be  very  expensive  and  in  t lie  hands  of  a  properly  qualified  and 
scientious  expert  might  yield  practically  negative  or  at  least  very 
doubtful  results. 

If  von.  after  reading  these  comments,  still  believe  thai  your 
department  is  justified  in  having  this  work  done  and  will  let  me 
know.  J  will  send  yon  a  list  of  the  best  men  in  the  country  qualified 
in  the  field  involved. 

Very  truly,  yours,  Otto  Folin. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 
Hot  Springs  Reservation. 

Office  of  Medical  Director, 
Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  February  21,  1912. 
Prof.  Otto  Folix. 

Harvard  ^f<(lical  School, 

Boston,  Mass. 
Sir:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  and  thank  yon  for  your  letter  of  January 
2,   1912,  with  reference  to  the  determination  of  the  physiological 
effects  of  the  water  of  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas.     In  it  you  state: 

In  my  opinion  it  is  not  possible  to  determine  the  "exact  physiological  effects"  of 
that  water  with  any  such  degree  of  certainty  as  to  meet  with  general  and  unqualified 
acceptance.  An  investigation  of  the  kind  referred  to  would  be  very  expensive  and 
in  the  hands  of  a  properly  qualified  and  conscientious  expert  might  yield  practically 
negative  or  at  least  very  doubtful  results. 

If  you,  after  reading  these  comments,  still  believe  that  your  department  is  justified 
in  having  this  work  done,  and  will  let  me  know,  I  will  send  you  a  list  of  the  best  men 
in  the  country  qualified  in  the  field  involved. 

The  therapeutic  value  of  the  baths  in  certain  conditions  appears 
to  be  well  established.  The  faith  of  the  laity  in  the  curative  prop- 
erties of  the  water  has  steadily  increased  despite  the  unfavorable 
local  conditions  of  the  past,  and  many  physicians  believe  that  this 
resort  is  destined  to  become  one  of  the  great  spas  of  the  world. 
Before  the  creation  of  the  office  of  medical  director  the  medical 
features  of  the  service  were  largely  overshadowed  by  the  commercial 
spirit.  An  earnest  effort  is  now  being  made  to  place  the  treatment 
of  patients  and  the  administration  of  the  baths  on  a  high  ethical 
plane  and  in  developing  the  medical  service  it  was  thought  that  a 
study  of  the  physiological  effects  of  the  waters  should  be  undertaken. 

A  part  of  the  general  plan  was  to  secure  the  services  of  an  expert 
physiological  chemist  to  conduct  a  series  of  experiments  working  in 
conjunction  with  a  commission  to  consist  of  the  medical  director  of 
the  reservation,  the  Federal  board  of  medical  examiners,  and  possibly 
one  or  more  delegates  from  the  county  medical  society.  This  work 
would  probably  extend  over  a  period  of  a  jrear  or  more.  It  is  believed 
that  an  appropriation  can  be  obtained  from  Congress  and  that  the 
cooperation  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and 
the  Public  Health  and  Marine-Hospital  Service  can  be  secured  as 
well  as  such  facilities  as  can  be  extended  by  the  Army  and  Navy 
general  hospital. 

I  am  in  receipt  of  a  letter  from  the  secretary  of  the  council  on 
pharmacy  and  chemistry  of  the  American  Medical  Association  stating 
that  the  council's  committee  on  therapeutic  research  has  been  plan- 
ning to  secure  the  cooperation  of  scientists  for  a  thorough  study  of 


WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  23 

the  therapeutic  value  of  mineral  waters,  and  I  also  note  that  at  the 
sixty-second  annual  session  of  the  American  Medical  Association 
held  at  Los  Angeles,  June  26  to  30,  1911,  the  following  resolution 
was  passed: 

Owing  to  the  importance  attributed  to  radioactive  mineral  -waters  in  the  treatment 
of  gouty  and  other  affections  by  competent  European  observers,  and  the  special  interest 
excited  by  the  symposium  on  the  subject  at  the  Thirty-second  Balneologic  Congress 
recently  held  in  Berlin,  the  section  on  pharmacology  and  therapeutics  of  the  American 
Medical  Association  requests  the  house  of  delegates  to  suggest  to  the  United  States 
Government  the  advisability  of  investigating  the  radioactivity  of  the  various  mineral 
waters  of  the  United  States  and  publishing  the  result  for  the  benefit  of  the  medical 
profession. 

The  water  of  the  hot  springs  has  been  examined  by  Profs.  B.  B. 
Boltwood  and  Joseph  Hyde  Pratt,  chemists,  of  New  Haven,  Conn., 
as  to  its  radioactivity  and  their  report  contains  the  following  con- 
clusions : 

(1)  The  waters  of  the  springs  on  the  Hot  Springs  Reservation  are  all  radioactive 
to  a  marked  degree. 

(2)  The  radioactivity  of  the  waters  is  due  to  dissolved  radium  emanation  (a  gas) 
and  not  to  the  presence  of  salts  of  or  other  radioactive  solids. 

(3)  The  tufa  deposited  by  the  springs  does  not  contain  appreciable  traces  of  radium. 

The  first  point  to  determine  is  whether  there  is  a  reasonable  proba- 
bility that  such  a  series  of  investigation  would  yield  results  of  value 
to  the  medical  profession  and  through  them  to  suffering  humanity. 
It  is  not  desired  to  enter  upon  a  fool's  errand  or  to  undertake  the 
work  with  any  view  toward  commercial  exploitation,  but  rather 
to  determine  the  legitimate  therapeutic  value  of  the  water  and  of  the 
resort  and  to  obtain  the  respect  and  support  of  the  medical  profession 
in  the  development  in  our  own  country  of  a  spa  that  will  compare 
favorably  with  the  resorts  of  like  character  abroad. 

There  is  inclosed  for  your  information  certain  reports  and  circu- 
lars bearing  on  the  subject  in  a  general  way,  and  if  after  reading  this 
more  detailed  explanation  you  are  willing  to  advise  as  to  whether  or 
not  the  department  would  be  justified  in  taking  up  this  work  you 
would  confer  a  service  that  would  be  greatly  appreciated. 
Very  respectfully, 

Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 


Department  of  Biological  Chemistry, 

Harvard  Medical  School, 

Boston,  February  27,  1912. 
Dr.  H.  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  February  21,  together  with  the  reports 
and  circulars  on  the  hot  springs  water,  has  thrown  new  light  on  the 
subject  so  far  as  I  am  concerned.  If  the  facts  reported  by  Dr.  Martin 
are  substantially  correct  the  effects  of  the  water  constitute  a  legiti- 
mate and  important  subject  for  research  from  the  standpoint  of 
metabolism  as  well  as  from  the  standpoint  of  clinical  medicine. 

Before  any  serious  metabolism  work  could  be  undertaken  some- 
thing in  the  way  of  a  chemical  laboratory  would  have  to  be  arranged 
for.  That  laboratory  would  not  need  to  be  large  and  would  be  of 
permanent  value,  for  in  a  place  of  that  sort  where  so  many  sick 


WATERS   OF    HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

people  conic  there  should  be  faculties  For  making  chemical  examina- 
tion- in  connection  with  the  treatment  of  patients.  As  such  it 
mighl  be  made  practically  self-supporting.  I  have  never  been  in 
Hot  Springs  ana  therefore  have  no  idea  as  to  the  facilities  now 
available.  I  believe  that  yon  are  justified  in  going  ahead  with  the 
work  of  securing  an  appropriation  from  Congress  for  such  work. 
You  might  perhaps  go  ahead  with  greater  confidence  after  consult- 
ing with  other  experts  in  biochemistry.  I,  therefore,  send  you  a  list 
.»!'  the  members  of  the  American  Society  of  Biological  Chemists. 

So  far  as  the  actual  biochemical  investigation  is  concerned  it  looks 
to  me  as  though  it  would  be  accessary  to  virtually  get  two  men.  one 
of  high  standing  and  recognized  ability  to  plan  and  direct  the  work 
in  conjunction  with  the  commission  referred  to  in  your  letter,  and  an 
assistant  to  stay  at  Hot  Springs  nil  the  lime  till  the  work  is  finished. 
All  the  mature  and  recognized  men  hold  positions  which  they,  of 
course,  can  not  give  ap  for  a  temporary  work  like  that  involved  at 
Hot  Springs.  There  is  a  certain  element  of  danger  in  that  arrange- 
ment, too.  unless  the  director  also  is  required  to  spend  a  considerable 
time  on  the  spot,  and  the  assistant  must  be  no  beginner,  for  much 
will  depend  on  his  keenness  and  discrimination. 

If  I  can  assist  you  further,  don't  hesitate  to  write  me  again. 
Very  truly,  yours. 

Otto  Foi.ix. 

Dr.  II.  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs,  Ail. 


Department  of  the  Interior. 

Hot  Springs  Reservation, 
Office  of  Medical  Director. 
Hot  Sjirings,  Ark.,  March  4-  1912. 
Prof.  Otto  Folix, 

Harvard  Medical  College,  Boston,  Mass. 
Sir:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  your  letter  of  February  27,  1912,  and 
desire  to  express  my  appreciation  of  your  interest  and  to  thank  you 
for  the  assistance  you  nave  so  willingly  given. 

In  the  last  paragraph  you  state,  ''If  I  can  assist  you  further, 
don't  hesitate  to  write  me  again." 

It  is  the  desire  of  the  department  to  have  a  bill  introduced  at  the 
present  session  of  Congress  asking  for  an  appropriation  for  carrying 
on  the  work  of  a  commission  in  determining  the  physiological  and 
therapeutic  effects  of  the  waters  of  the  hot  springs.  The  time  is 
rather  short  and  in  all  probability  it  will  be  necessary  to  determine 
the  details  of  the  work  and  to  appoint  the  personnel  at  a  later  date. 
In  order  to  determine  the  sum  to  be  requested,  however,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  have  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  the  investigations. 

I  am  in  receipt  of  a  letter  from  the  department  which  reads  in  part 
as  follows: 

I  have  to  request  that  you  will  take  up  the  subject  with  the  other  members  of  the 
Federal  registration  board  and  submit  a  general  outline  as  to  the  amount  of  money 
which  you  think  .should  be  appropriated  by  Congress  for  this  purpose,  such  appro- 
priation to  include  compensation  of  physicians  employed,  laboratory  facilities,  appli- 
ances, and  hospital  facilities  in  connection  with  the  matter. 


WATEES   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OP   ARKANSAS.  25 

In  submitting  the  estimate  of  the  amount  to  be  appropriated  for  this  purpose  a 
lump  sum  will  be  asked  for,  out  of  which  all  necessary  expenses,  including  compensa- 
tion of  experts,  etc.,  is  to  be  paid,  and  it  is  also  proposed  to  suggest  to  Congress  that 
the  Secretary  of  War,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  the  Public  Health  and  Marine- 
Hospital  Service,  be  authorized  to  cooperate  with  this  department  in  handling  the 
subject,  the  entire  matter  to  be  under  the  supervision  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

.  It  would  be  of  material  assistance  if  you  would  be  willing  to  give 
at  least  an  approximate  estimate  as  to  the  necessary  expenditures 
basing  the  figures  on  the  work  of  such  a  commission  for  the  first 
year,  and  also  if  you  could  express  an  opinion  as  to  the  number  of 
years  that  would  be  required  to  complete  the  work. 

It  is  believed  that  hospital  facilities  can  be  obtained  at  the  Army 
and  Navy  general  hospital  without  cost  other  than  the  subsistence  of 
patients.  Information  is  especially  desired  as  to  the  probable  cost 
'of  the  following  items : 

Compensation  of  expert. 

Compensation  of  assistant. 

Chemical  laboratory  equipment  and  operation  (exclusive  of 
building) . 

Number  and  cost  of  animals  used  for  experimental  purposes. 

Number  of  healthy  subjects  to  be  employed  for  experimental 
purposes. 

Number  of  patients  to  be  observed. 

Thanking  you  for  any  assistance  you  may  be  able  to  render,  I  am. 
Very  truly,  yours, 

Harry  M.   Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 

Jefferson  Medical  College, 

Philadelphia,  December  26,  1911. 
Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Doctor:  Your  letter  of  December  19,  1911,  will  be  referred 
to  the  appropriate  committee  of  our  faculty  immediately  after  the 
termination  of  the  holidays. 

Believe  me,  very  truly,  yours, 

Ross  V.  Patterson,  M.  D., 

Subdean.  ■ 


Jefferson  Medical  College, 

Philadelphia,  January  8,  1912. 
Harry  M.  Hallock,  M.  D., 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  December  19,  1911,  has  been  referred  to 
me  to  name  a  physiological  chemist. 

I  can  heartily  recommend,  for  the  inquiry  referred  to,  Prof.  Victor 
Vaughan,  M.  D.,  University  of  Michigan,  Aim  Arbor,  Mich. 
Respectfully, 

J.  W.  Holland, 
Professor  of  Medical  Chemistry. 


26  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

I   NIVKKSITY    OF    M  KIIKi.VX . 

Department  <»r  Medicine  and  Surgery, 
*  Ann  Arbor,  March  .,'.  1912. 

Dr.  Harry  M.  Halixm  k, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs, 

Hoi  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Doctor:  Your  Letter  and  the  papers  accompanying  it  have 
interested  me  very  much.  If  it  be  true  in  any  large  number  of  cases 
that  immersion  of  the  body,  or  a  part  of  the  body,  m  water  causes  the 
body  temperature  to  go  several  degrees  higher  than  the  temperature 
of  the  water,  this  is  a  most  interesting  question.  It  should  certainly 
nvestigated.  I  know  of  no  other  water  in  the  world  of  which  this 
is  true.  I  have  made  a  study  of  some  of  the  great  medicinal  springs, 
such  as  those  <»f  Carlsbad,  and  I  am  quite  sure  that  there  is  not  another 
water  in  the  world  that  does  anything  like  this.  It  seems  to  me  that 
the  matter  is  of  enough  importance  to  justify  a  thorough  and  scientific 
investigation.  T  wish  to  make  the  following  suggestion:  It  seems  to 
me  that  it  would  be  well  for  a  medical  board  to  be  convened  at  Hot 
Springs  for  a  period  of  10  days  to  make  a  preliminary  investigation, 
and  report  to  the  Department  of  the  Interior  as  to  what,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  board,  should  be  done.  This  board  might  consist  of  a 
few  medical  officers  detailed  from  the  Army,  Navy,  and  Public  Health 
Service.  If  such  a  thing  as  this  is  done,  I  should  like  very  much  to  be 
on'  the  board.  1  am  a  member  of  the  Reserve  Corps  of  the  Army,  and 
could  be  ordered  on  such  service  if  the  Surgeon  General  wishes. 
Please  think  this  over  and  let  me  know  what  you  decide  about  it.  It 
as  to  me  that  this  would  be  the  best  way  to  get  at  it.  If  it  is 
decided  to  undertake  a  thorough  study,  such  a  board  as  I  have  men- 
tioned could  map  out  the  way  in  which  the  work  should  be  done. 
Thanking  you  very  much,  and  with  best  wishes,  I  am, 
Yours,  truly, 

V.  C.  Yaughan. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation, 
Office  op  Medical  Director, 
Hot  Springs,  Arl\,  March  8,  1912. 
Prof.  Victor  Vaughan,  M,  D.. 

University  of  Michigan,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 
My  Dear  Prof.  Vaughan:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  your  letter 
of  March  4.  1912.  in  reply  to  my  inquiries  of  February  20,  and  to 
thank  you  for  your  interest  and  the  careful  consideration  you  have 
given  the  matter.  Your  suggestion  as  to  the  appointment  of  a 
preliminary  board  to  be  assembled  at  Hot  Springs  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a  report  to  the  department  will  be  borne  in  mind.  It  will 
take  some  little  time  to  arrange  the  details  of  the  proposed  investiga- 
tions but  there  is  one  point  that  it  is  greatly  desired  to  have  settled 
at  once,  and  that  is  the  amount  of  money  that  should  be  requested  as 
an  appropriation  by  Congress  for  carrying  on  the  work. 

I  am  in  receipt  of  a  letter  from  the  department  which  reads  in  part 
a-  follow-: 

I  have  to  request  that  you  will  take  up  the  subject  with  the  other  members  of  the 
federal  registration  board  and  submit  a  general  outline  as  to  the  amount  of  money 


WATEES   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  27 

which  you  think  should  be  appropriated  by  Congress  for  this  purpose,  such  appropria- 
tion to  include  compensation  of  physicians  employed,  laboratory  facilities,  appliances, 
and  hospital  facilities  in  connection  with  the  matter. 

In  submitting  the  estimate  of  the  amount  to  be  appropriated  for  this  purpose  a 
lump  sum  will  be  asked  for,  out  of  which  all  necessary  expenses  including  compensa- 
tion of  experts,  etc.,  is  to  be  paid,  and  it  is  also  proposed  to  suggest  to  Congress  that 
the  Secretary  of  War,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  the  Public  Health  and  Marine- 
Hospital  Service,  be  authorized  to  cooperate  with  this  department  in  handling  the 
subject,  the  entire  matter  to  be  under  the  supervision  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

It  would  be  of  material  assistance  if  you  would  be  willing  to  give 
at  least  an  approximate  estimate  as  to  the  necessary  expenditures 
basing  the  figures  on  the  work  of  such  a  commission  for  the  first  year, 
and  also  if  you  could  express  an  opinion  as  to  the  number  of  years 
that  would  be  required  to  complete  the  work. 

It  is  believed  that  hospital  faculties  can  be  obtained  at  the  Army 
and  Navy  general  hospital  without  cost  other  than  the  subsistence 
of  patients.  Information  is  especially  desired  as  to  the  probable 
cost  of  the  following  items : 

Compensation  of  expert. 

Compensation  of  assistant. 

Chemical  laboratory  equipment  and  operation  (exclusive  of  build- 
ing). m  /.., 

Number  and  cost  of  animals  used  for  experimental  purposes. 

Number  of  patients  to  be  observed. 

Thanking  you  for  any  assistance  you  may  be  able  to  render,  I  am, 
Very  truly  yours, 

Harry  M.  Hallock. 

Medical  Director. 


University  of  Michigan. 
Department  of  Medicine  and  Surgery, 

Ann  Arbor,  March  11,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Doctor:  In  reply  to  j^ours  of  March  8  I  will  say  that  it  would 
be  necessary  to  equip  and  supply  a  laboratory.  There  would  have 
to  be  tables,  sinks,  shelves,  benches  for  balances,  at  least  two  first- 
class  balances,  at  least  two  good  microscopes,  a  full  set  of  chemicals, 
beakers,  graduates,  buretts,  recording  apparatus,  drums,  hi  fact 
everything  necessary  for  a  first-class  pharmacological  laboratory. 
The  research  part  of  our  pharmacological  laboratory,  not  counting  the 
part  devoted  to  students,  inventories  about  $5,000.  This  of  course 
does  not  include  the  room  nor  the  permanent  equipment  of  the  room. 
I  should  say  for  laboratory  purposes  there  should  be  an  appropriation 
of  about  $10,000.  The  director  of  the  laboratory  should  have  a 
salary  of  $5,000.  There  should  be  two  good  assistants,  each  of  whom 
should  receive  a  salary  of  $3,500.  There  should  be  two  subassistants, 
each  of  whom  should  receive  $2,000.  There  should  be  two  laboratory 
servants,  each  of  whom  should  receive  $1,000.  The  cost  of  animals 
used  for  experimental  purposes  would  not  be  less  than  $500.  There 
should  be  not  less  than  200  patients  under  observation,  while  25 
normal  persons  should  be  used  for  controls.  I  can  not  give  you  any 
estimate  as  to  what  this  would  cost.     The  figures  that  I  have  given, 


28  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

except  for  Laboratory  equipment .  of  course  mean  annual  expenditures. 
1  think  provision  should  Be  made  for  two  years  of  work. 

ProbaDly  this  will  give  you  enough  to  assist  you  in  figuring  out 
what  appropriat  ion  you  should  ask  for.     If  1  can  oe  of  further  service 
to  you  in  this  matter  please  consider  me  at  your  command. 
Yours,  truly, 

V.   (\   Yaioiian. 


University  of  Pennsylvania, 

Philadelphia,  December  22,  1911. 
My  Dear  Sir:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the 
19th  instant  in  regard  to  experiments  with  a  view  to  determining  the 
physiological  effects  of  the  water  of  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas.  I 
shall  take  pleasure  in  referring  this  matter  to  the  dean  of  our  school  of 
medicine,  with  the  request  thai  he  be  kind  enough  to  make  any 
suggestion  that  may  be  feasible  in  the  matter. 
Believe  me,  very  sincerely,  yours, 

Edward  Robins,  Secretary. 
Harry  M.  Hallock,  M.  D., 

Medical  Director,  Department  of  the  Interior, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 


University  of  Pennsylvania, 

Philadelphia,  December  22,  1911. 
Mr.  II.  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs,  ArJc. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Hallom:  Your  letter  to  the  secretary  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania  lias  been  referred  to  me  for  reply.  I  would 
suggest  to  you  the  name  of  Prof.  A.  E.  Taylor,  our  professor  of 
physiological  chemistry,  medical  school  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. You  may  know  of  him  as  one  of  the  so-called  Remsen 
board  connected  with  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture. 
He  is  at  present  in  California  but  will  return  in  about  10  days,  and  a 
letter  addressed  to  him  at  the  medical  school  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania  will  reach  him  within  a  short  time.  If  he  can  not  per- 
sonally undertake  the  work,  very  possibly  he  can  arrange  to  have  it 
done  under  his  direction  by  some  of  his  assistants. 
Very  sincerely, 

A.  J.  Smith,  Dean. 


University  of  Pennsylvania, 

Philadelphia,  February  23,  1912. 
Dr.  H.  M.  Hallock 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
My  Dear  Dr.  Hallock:  In  reply  to  your  communication  in 
reference  to  taking  up  work  on  a  commission  to  investigate  the  waters 
of  the  hot  springs,  it  will  not  be  possible  for  me  to  give  you  any  reply 
until  I  know  more  about  it.  How  much  time  would  be  consumed? 
How  much  time  would  need  to  be  spent  there?     Of  course,  scientific 


WATEES   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  29 

results  could  be  reached  by  proper  investigations.  If  you  will  let 
me  know  what  would  be  expected  I  will  be  in  a  position  to  say 
whether  I  could  be  available. 

Thanking  you,  I  am,  very  truly,  yours, 

A.  E.  Taylor. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 
Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Office  of  Medical  Director, 
Hoi  Springs,  Ark.,  February  28,  1912. 
Prof.  A.  E.  Taylor, 

University  of  Pennsylvania, 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Sir:  Replying  to  jout  letter  of  February  23,  requesting  further 
information  as  to  the  proposed  investigation  of  the  physiological 
effects  of  the  water  of  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas,  I  beg  to  saj-  that 
it  is  believed  that  it  would  be  necessary  for  whoever  undertakes  this 
work  to  be  present  in  Hot  Springs  and  to  devote  practically  his 
entire  time  to  it.  It  is  thought  that  the  series  of  experiments  would 
extend  over  the  period  of  one  3Tear,  and  that  by  the  expiration  of  that 
time  it  would  be  possible  to  determine  whether  it  would  be  worth 
while  to  continue  them  longer.  These  observations  would  naturally 
be  directed  toward  noting  changes  in  metobolism,  excretion,  secre- 
tion, blood  changes,  and  variation  of  vascular  tension,  both  in  the 
sick  and  in  the  well.  The  investigator  would  have  largely  to  plan 
his  own  work,  the  object  being  to  define  if  possible  the  legitimate 
therapeutic  value  of  the  water  in  the  various  forms  of  its  administra- 
tion. There  is  at  present  more  or  less  difference  of  opinion  on  all 
these  points. 

It  is  desired  to  have  the  observations  conducted  in  a  way  and  by 
one  whose  work  will  be  accepted  by  the  medical  profession  as  reliable 
and  ethical  to  the  general,  and  that  we  may  have  in  our  own  country 
a  spa  that  will  compare  favorably  with  places  of  like  character 
abroad. 

The  first  point  to  be  determined  is  whether  by  investigations  of 
this  character  it  would  be  possible  to  arrive  at  sufficiently  definite 
results  to  warrant  the  undertaking.  The  second  point  to  be  deter- 
mined is  an  approximate  estimate,  as  much  in  detail  as  practicable, 
of  the  cost. 

Very  respectfully,  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 


Columbia  University, 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 

New  York,  January  18,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Our  faculty  referred  your  letter  of  December  19   to 
Dr.  William  J.  Gies,  professor  of  biological  chemistry,  and  Dr.  Gies 
writes  in  reply  as  follows : 

I  desire  to  nominate  Jacob  Kosenbloom,  M.  D.,  Ph.  D.,  associate  in  biological 
chemistry,  as  a  physiological  chemist  competent  to  conduct  the  proposed  series  of 


30  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

riments  on  the  physiological  effects  of  the  water  of  the  hoi  springs  of  Arkansas, 
une  that  the  work  will  oner  such  remuneration  as  would  enable  Dr.  UoMinldooni 
•  ■  ;ill  his  time  an  attention  to  the  investigation.  His  thorough  medical  training 
and  his  extended  chemical  experience  here,  and  his  numerous  Investigations  of  the 
pasl  Eew  years,  convince  me  that  he  would  be  more  than  ordinarily  competent  to 
conduct  the  work  to  which  the  medical  director  of  the  Hoi  Springs  Reservation  refers 
in  his  letter  if  !'  9,  which  you  have  submitted  tome. 

I  trust  that  this  answers  your  inquiry  of  December  19. 
Yours,  very  truly, 

Saml.  W.  Lambert,  Dean. 


Columbia  University, 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 

New  York,  Dec  <',  1911. 

Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock. 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation . 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Jn  reply  to  your  letter  of  December  19,  I  would  state 
that  your  inquiry  will  be  placed  before  the  faculty  of  medicine  at 
their  meeting  on  Monday,  January  15.     Their  decision  will  be  com- 
municated to  you  as  soon  as  possible  after  that  meeting. 
Yours,  very  truly, 

Saml.  W.  Lambert,  M.  D.,  Dean. 


Philadelphia,  Pa.,  March  1,  1912. 
My  Dear  Dr.  Hallock:  I  have  your  kind  letter.     It  would  not  be 
possible  for  me  to  undertake  any  such  work  as  you  have  detailed. 
You  have  the  correct  plan,  and  I  wish  you  success  in  it. 
Very  truly,  yours, 

A.  E.  Taylor. 


Columbia  University, 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 

New  York,  March  27,  1912. 

Dear  Dr.  Hallock:  I  have  read  with  care  and  attention  your 
communication  of  recent  date  and  the  documents  that  came  with  it. 
I  am  convinced  that  it  would  be  in  the  public  interest  to  conduct  a 
thorough  investigation  on  the  waters  in  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas. 
It  is  obvious  that  positive  therapeutic  value,  if  such  is  possessed  by 
the  waters,  might  oe  clearly  established  by  adequate  investigation. 
It  is  just  as  clear  that  lack  of  curative  properties  would  be  shown  by 
proper  investigations  if  remedial  qualities  were  lacking.  Either  result 
would  provide  knowledge  of  public  utilit}r.  Should  it  ultimately  be 
decided  to  proceed  with  sucn  work,  it  would  give  me  pleasure  to 
nominate  Prof.  William  H.  Welker,  of  this  department,  to  take  charge 
of  it. 

Prof.  Welker  cooperated  with  me  several  years  ago  in  a  research  on 
the  effects  of  radium  after  its  introduction  into  the  body,  and  his 
training  as  a  physicist,  chemist,  and  biologist  makes  him  particularly 
competent  to  conduct  work  of  the  kind  in  the  proposed  research 


WATEES   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  ,  31 

under  consideration.     Prof.  Welker's  family  have  for  some  time  pre- 
ferred to  live  in  a  smaller  city  than  New  York,  and  I  am  confident 
you  would,  find  him  ready  to  accept  appointment  in  this  relation, 
providing  it  would  make  it  possible  for  him  financially  to  accept. 
Yours,  very  truly, 

Wii.  J.  Gies. 


University  of  Pennsylvania. 

Philadelphia,  February  28,  1912. 
The  Medical  Dieectoe,  Hot  Speings  Eeseevation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

Dear  Sie:  I  have  your  letter  of  February  20,  informing  me  of  the 
plan,  lately  taken  under  consideration  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Inte- 
rior, of  conducting  a  series  of  investigations  in  reference  to  the  physi- 
ological action  of  the  water  at  Hot  Springs,  and  inquiring  as  to  my 
opinion  of  the  probable  value  of  such  an  investigation  and  my  own 
willingness  to  take  part  in  it. 

In  view  of  the  number  of  persons  who  go  to  Hot  Springs  in  hope 
of  being  benefited  by  the  baths,  I  am  decidedly  of  the  opinion  that 
such  an  investigation  should  be  undertaken,  and  conducted  com- 
pletely— and  of  course  impartially — with  the  object  simply  of  ascer- 
taining what  definite  and  demonstrable  physiological  effects  the  water 
is  capable  of  producing.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the  reports  of  cures, 
and  the  claims  made  by  persons  whose  health  has  been  improved 
while  or  after  taking  the  baths,  are  often  highly  inaccurate  and  mis- 
leading. Post  hoc  is  not  propter  hoc,  and  the  only  way  of  finding 
whether  any  connection  exists  between  the  properties  of  the  water 
and  the  benefit  gained  by  patients  who  undergo  treatment  at  the 
springs  is  a  scientific  investigation  conducted  by  entirely  unbiased 
and  properly  qualified  persons.  There  is  no  doubt  that  "the  results 
of  any  such  carefully  conducted  investigation  would  be  of  value  both 
to  science  and  to  the  medical  profession. 

I  am,  however,  not  prepared  to  accept  an  appointment  of  the  kind 
you  describe.  I  am  not  a  medical  man,  and  I  have  never  engaged 
in  any  investigations  having  a  purely  medical  bearing,  so  that  I  feel 
myself  unqualified  to  take  part  in  an  investigation  of  this  nature. 
There  are,  however,  a  considerable  number  of  physiological  chemists 
in  the  country  who  are  primarily  interested  in  the  medical  applica- 
tions of  their  science,  and  there  would,  I  believe,  be  little  difficulty 
in  securing  the  services  of  one  or  more  well  qualified  investigators. 

Thanking  you  for  your  courtesy,  and  appreciating  the  honor  im- 
plied in  your  offer,  I  remain, 

Yours,  very  truly,  Kalph  S.  Lillie. 


Columbia  Univeesity  Biochemical  Association, 

New  York,  March  14, 1912. 
My  Dear  De.  Hallock:  Your  letter  of  the  20th  just  received  on 
my  return  to  the  city  from  a  western  trip. 

I  tliink  results  could  be  obtained  from  the  work  you  mention  that 
would  well  commensurate  with  the  expenditure  involved.     *     *     * 


32  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

It  is  impossible  for  me  to  state  what  the  work  would  cost  without 
a  full  knowledge  of  the  exact  scope  of  the  work. 
Respectfully, 

Jacob  Rosenbloom. 


Pennsylvania  State  College, 

Institute  of  Animal  Nutrition, 

StaU  College,  Pa.,  March  JO,  1912. 
Dr.  IIarky  M.  IIali.ock. 

Malico I  Director,  Hot  Springs  lieservation. 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Peak  Sir:  I  am  iu  receipt  of  your  letter  of  .March  1(5,  and  in  reply 
would  say  that  a  scientific  investigation  of  the  therapeutic  value  of 
the  wale:-  of  hot  springs  seems  to  me  a  very  desirable  undertaking, 
both  as  a  means  of  increasing  scientific  knowledge  of  the  general 
subject  and  as  a  practical  measure  to  better  utilize  this  natural 
resource. 

A>  regards  methods.  I  do  not  feel  competent  to  make  any  sugges- 
tions other  than  the  very  obvious  one  that  it  is  essential  that  the 
committee  or  commission  charged  with  this  work  should  be  composed 
of  men  whose  scientific  standing  and  personal  character  will  put  the 
results  of  their  work  above  criticism.  If  it  is  possible  to  secure  such 
men.  they  would  be  more  competent  than  anyone  else  to  determine 
upon  the  methods  to  be  followed,  and  if  they  were  not  competent  to 
do  this  they  would  not  be  suitable  members  of  a  commission. 
Very  respectfully,  yours, 

W.  P.  Armsbt,  Director. 


Catonsville,  Md.,  March  21,  1912. 
Dr.  H.  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Doctor:  For  more  than  20  years  the  physiological  action 
of  certain  mineral  waters  has  been  a  puzzle  to  me.  I  could  not 
explain  why  a  carefully  prepared  artificial  imitation  of  certain  nat- 
ural waters  would  not  act  alike,  even  when  the  natural  water  was  not 
taken  at  the  source  but  bottled  and  shipped  away.  The  chemical 
analyses  showed  the  same  constituents  in  the  same  proportions,  and 
yet  I  was  forced  to  admit  through  evidence  before  my  eyes  that  the 
physiological  action  of  the  waters  was  not  identical. 

The  thought  sometimes  occurred  to  me  that  our  analytical  methods 
were  not*  sufficient  to  show  the  presence  of  some  agent  or  agents 
imparting  such  properties  to  the  respective  waters.  It  was,  therefore, 
I  might  say.  a  relief  to  my  troublecl  mind  when,  through  the  wonder- 
ful discovery  of  radium  and  radioactivity  a  possible  explanation 
might  be  found. 

From  these  remarks  you  may  readily  draw  the  conclusion  that  I 
am  thoroughly  in  favor  of  an}'  steps  which  may  lead  through  a 
scientific  study  to  definite  results. 
Very  truly,  yours, 

Dr.  W.  Simon, 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 

Baltimore,  Md. 


waters  of  hot  springs  of  arkansas.  33 

Sheffield  Laboratory 
of  Physiological  Chemistry, 

Yale  University, 
New  Haven,  Conn.,  March  22,  1912.  ' 
Dr.  H.  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  In  reply  to  your  communication  of  the  16th  concerning 
the  advisability  of  making  an  experimental  study  of  the  influence  of 
the  hot  springs  waters  upon  the  body,  I  would  say  that  such  a  pro- 
cedure would  be  very  desirable.  Just  at  this  time  precisely  this  type 
of  work  is  being  carried  forward  in  certain  laboratories  abroad,  but 
they  have  not  the  opportunity  or  facilities  that  may  be  possible  in  the 
work  proposed  in  your  letter.  The  investigation  would  be  of  scien- 
tific value  whatever  the  outcome,  and  in  every  sense  is  a  proper  and 
legitimate  subject  for  research. 

Very  truly,  Frank  P.  Underhill. 


The  Otho  S.  A.  Spragtte  Memorial  Institute, 

Chicago,  March  22,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
My  Dear  Dr.  Hallock:  From  what  I  can  learn  in  the  communica- 
tions you  have  just  sent  me  concerning  the  waters  of  the  hot  spring, 
it  would  seem  most  desirable  that  thorough  investigation  on  the 
physiological  action  of  the  springs,  both  upon  man  and  animals,  be 
made  under  Government  auspices,  so  that  we  may  have  unprejudiced 
and  reliable  information  upon  which  to  base  future  therapeutic  use  of 
the  springs.  It  is  my  opinion,  in  reply  to  your  direct  question,  that 
the  subject  is  most  decidedly  a  legitimate  and. proper  subject  for 
scientific  research  not  only  from  the  standpoint  of  clinical  medicine, 
but  also  from  that  of  physiology. 

Yours,  very  truly,  H.  Gideon  Wells,  Director. 


Cornell  University, 
Department  of  Chemistry, 
Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  March  19,  1912.. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  circular  letter  of  March  16  came  yesterday,  and  I 
have  read  it  with  great  interest  and  care.  Prof.  J.  K.  Haywood,  of 
the  Bureau  of  Chemistry,  who  made  the  chemical  analysis  of  the 
water  of  the  hot  springs,  is  a  graduate  of  the  chemical  department 
of  this  university  and  a  personal  friend  of  the  writer.  I  also  know 
the  other  chemists  you  mention  in  your  letter,  and  feel  sure  that 
their  reports  and  conclusions  are  reliable  and  valuable.  Something 
more  is  required,  however,  than  a  mere  chemical  analysis,  and  I 
think  the  arrangement  contemplated  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior 
to  secure  the  services  of  a  competent  physiological  chemist  to  work 
in  conjunction  with  a  commission  of  medical  men  an  excellent  one. 

56511— H.  Doc.  905,  62-2 3 


34  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

1(  Beems  to  me  thai  the  results  of  such  an  investigation  would  be  of 
ii  value,  and  1  am  of  the  opinion  that  the  work  contemplated  is  a 
tlmate  and  proper  one  for  scientific  research  from  the  standpoint 
of  clinical  medicine. 

I  would  suggest  that  an  attempt  be  mad*1  to  gel  the  Carnegie 
Institution  and  the  Rockefeller  Foundation  for  Medical  Research 
Interested  in  the  matter.  Dr.  Benedict,  of  the  Carnegie  Institution, 
has  been  investigating  problems  connected  with  metabolism  and 
knows  more  about  this  subject  than  any  other  man  in  this  country. 
Pr.  Benedict  is  now  in  Boston,  Mass.,  and  I  feel  sure  lie  would  be 
much  interested  in  such  an  investigation  as  you  contemplate. 

The  Rockefeller  Foundation  has  a  very  able  corps  of  experts 
whose  aid  would  be  absolutely  invaluable  in  such  investigation.  I 
have  mentioned  these  institutions  because  any  roiilts  published  by 
them  would  command  attention  ami  be  at  once  accepted  by  the 
medical  profession.  I  suppose  you  arc  familiar  with  the  work  Dr. 
Benedict  has  been  doing  with  the  calorimeter,  ami  I  need  not  empha- 
size the  importance  01  this  kind  of  work  in  connection  with  the 
present  investigation  of  the  therapeutic  value  of  these  wati  rs. 
Yours,  very  truly, 

W.  R.  Orxdorff, 
Professor  of  Organic  and  Physiological  Chemistry. 


American  Cltmatological  Association, 

March  21,  1912. 
Pr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 
Mt  Dear  Sir:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  your  very  kind  letter  of  the 
18th  instant,  and  also  your  very  interesting  report  for  1911  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Interior,  with  other  inclosures. 

I  will  reply  later  on  to  the  subject  referred  to  in  your  letter  and 
as  it  is  quite  complicated  I  should  give  it  consideration  and  see  if 
some  plan  can  not  be  outlined  to  afford  a  practical  plan  of  investiga- 
tion. 

Very  truly,  Gut  Hinsdale. 

Carnegie  Institution  of  Washington, 

Nutrition  Laboratory, 
Fenway,  Boston,  Mass.,  March  21,  1912. 
pr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  I  have  your  circular  letter  of  March  16  with  regard  to 
investigations  ot  the  therapeutic  value  of  the  water  of  the  hot  springs 
of  Arkansas,  and  I  have  glanced  through  the  literature  that  you  have 
sent  along  with  this  letter.  There  is  no  difficulty  in  determining 
definitely  by  physiological  tests  the  action  of  water,  provided  it  has 
any.  There  is  a  great  question  in  the  minds  of  experimenters  as  to 
the  influence  of  radium  emanation  on  metabolism,  and  I  must  confess 
I  feel  very  skeptical  with  regard  to  many  of  the  experiment  reports 
in  the  literature  you  sent  me;  inasmuch  as  the  main  claim  to  benefit 
from  the  hot  springs  water  is  their  radioactivity  upon  metabolism. 


WATEKS   OF   HOT  SPRINGS  OF  ARKANSAS.  35 

This  could  only  be  done  by  persons  trained  in  metabolic  studies,  par- 
ticularly studying  the  gaseous  exchange,  so  as  to  make  some  estima- 
tion of  the  actual  amount  of  metabolic  activity.  Unless  such  a  series 
of  experiments  be  made,  I  should  look  very  much  askance  at  any 
studies  undertaken.  If  the  United  States  Government  wishes  to 
send  to  the  laboratory  an  accredited  scientist  to  learn  the  technique 
of  making  these  studies,  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  accord  him  what 
facilities  we  can;  other  than  that,  we  are  not  in  a  position  to  do 
anything. 

I  am,  very  truly,  yours,  Feancis  G.  Benedict. 


Baltimore,  March  22, 1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

Dear  Sir:  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  March  18,  I  would  state  that 
I  believe  it  would  be  an  investigation  of  great  value  to  have  a  study 
made  of  the  action  of  the  hot  springs  water,  not  only  its  effects  on 
the  body  in  health  but  also  in  diseased  conditions  and  its  effects 
upon  metabolism. 

I  believe  that  in  order  to  be  of  any  value  such  an  investigation 
would  have  to  be  undertaken  by  a  number  of  well-trained  men,  and 
that  it  would  have  to  extend  over  a  considerable  period  of  time,  and 
that  an  important  part  of  the  work  would  be  to  investigate  the  effect 
of  the  water  in  reference  to  any  deleterious  changes  that  it  might 
cause.  It  seems  that  in  certain  diseases  the  water  does  harm  rather 
than  good. 

I  have  no  special  suggestions  at  this  time  to  make  regarding  the 
scope  of  such  an  investigation,  but  certainly  urge  that  it  be  under- 
taken with  the  view  of  placing  these  curative  waters  on  a  scientific 
basis,  where  they  certainly  deserve  to  be. 

Very  sincerely,  yours,  John  Ruhrah. 


Tulane  University  of  Louisiana, 

New  Orleans,  March  25, 1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

Dear  Doctor:  I  am  glad  to  reply  to  your  communication  of 
March  18,  but  must  necessarily  do  so  in  a  very  general  way. 

I  have  always  deplored  the  popular  estimate  of  hot  springs  in  their 
relation  to  syphilis,  and  have  considered  that  more  harm  has  been 
done  to  the  victims  of  this  disease  through  hot  springs  than  through 
any  other  agent  in  modern  times.  The  belief  of  the  general  public 
in  the  efficacy  of  the  water  of  hot  springs  has  created  the  impression 
that  one  or  two  "courses"  there  was  all  that  was  needed  for  a  cure, 
and  you  know  the  results. 

I  believe  that  the  thorough  investigation  of  hot  springs  in  its  rela- 
tion to  syphilis  is  not  only  desirable  but  imperative  for  the  good  of 
the  American  people  and  for  the  education  of  the  rank  and  file  of  the 
profession. 

It  should  be  especially  demonstrated  that  hot  springs  have  advan- 
tages over  ordinary  hot  baths  or  other  thermal  resorts,  if  such  be 


36  WATERS   OF    HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

the  case,  and  1  shall  welcome  the  results  of  the  efforts  of  the  Govern- 
ment in  this  direction. 

It  will  require  some  time  to  obtain  the  proper  results,  and  these 
should  be  derived  from  systematic  experiments  with  groups  of  cases 
not  only  of  syphilis  hut  of  skin  diseases  and  of  those  other  ailments 
(like  rheumatism,  gout,  etc.)  which  are  now  in  the  habit  of  being 
t  reated  at  the  springs. 

If  1  can  be  of  any  other  service  at  any  other  time  I  shall  he  glad  to 
sen  e  von. 

Very  truly,  yours.  J.  Radovbt  Dyer,  Dean. 


Boston.  March  28,  191$. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  11  u. lock, 

lint  Springs,  Ark. 
My  Dear  Sib:  1   acknowledge  with  thanks  the  receipt  of  your 

favor  of  '  -arch  18.  In  reply  to  your  question,  1  would  give  it  as  my 
opinion  that  the  thorough  investigation  into  the  effects  of  the  waters 
from  the  hot  springs  would  certainly  he  a  legitimate  and  proper 
subject  for  scientific  research  from  the  standpoint  of  clinical  medi- 
cine. It  seems  to  me  very  desirable  to  determine  what  effects  these 
radioactive  waters  have  on  healthy  animals  and  healthy  human 
beings.  It  might  be  desirable  also  to  determine  whether  or  not 
these  effects  differ  from  those  obtained  by  the  use  of  ordinary  waters 
at  the  same  temperature  as  that  from  the  springs  itself.  The  medical 
world  and  humanity  would  be  the  richer  for  the  possession  of  this 
knowledge. 

Very  truly,  yours,  J.  P.  Sutherland. 


New  York  City,  March  29,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  16th  instant  at  hand.  In  answer  to 
your  question  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  a  carefully  conducted  investi- 
gation into  the  various  effects  of  radioactive  waters  upon  metabolism 
wotdd  be  of  scientific  value.  But  such  a  research  would  not  be  at  all 
a  simple  one,  and,  in  my  opinion,  the  ordinary  type  of  observation 
conducted  on  patients  under  treatment  is  devoid  of  scientific  value. 
Only  such  studies  as  utilize  the  most  perfect  methods  are  worthy  of 
consideration.  These  should  be  in  the  first  place  physiological,  and 
then  with  these  results  as  a  basis  some  deduction  might  be  made 
regarding  pathological  conditions.  I  should  be  interested  in  seeing 
such  work  done,  but  it  is  by  no  means  certain  that  any  practical 
result  could  be  arrived  at. 

Yours,  truly,  X.  B.  Foster. 

Brooklyn  Institute  of  Arts  and  Sciences, 

Brooklyn  Botanic  Garden,  March  27,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
My  Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  March  16,  addressed  to  me  at  the 
University  of  Missouri,  has  been  forwarded  to  me  at  my  address  as 
given  above. 


WATERS' OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS.  37 

I  am  very  much  interested  in  the  proposition  to  make  a  thorough 
investigation  of  the  physiological  and.  therapeutic  properties  of  the 
waters  of  the  hot  springs.  It  seems  to  me  that  it  is  a  very  desirable 
thing  to  do,  not  only  because  of  its  scientific  interest,  but  also  because 
it  may  be  the  means  either  of  protecting  the  public  against  worthless 
expenditure  of  money  for  treatment  of  no  value,  or  be  of  positive 
benefit  in  demonstrating  the  real  efficacy  of  the  hot  springs  baths  for 
certain  ailments  or  merely  as  a  tonic. 

I  should  think  the  subject  was  one  entirely  legitimate  and  proper 
for  scientific  research,  to  be  undertaken  under  Government  auspices. 
In  fact,  it  seems  to  me  that  it  is  unfortunate  that  such  an  investiga- 
tion has  been  so  long  delayed,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  so  many  people 
have  been  led  to  look  for  relief  and  have  spent  considerable  sums  of 
money  in  that  direction  at  the  hot  springs. 

I  believe  the  investigating  staff  should  include  a  physiological 
chemist,  a  physical  chemist,  and  a  practicing  physician,  and  the  data 
gotten  together  ought  to  include  information  with  reference  to  the 
history  of  past  treatments,  with  their  success  or  failure  for  different 
diseases,  not  only  at  these  springs,  but  also  by  comparison  with 
similar  springs  abroad. 

Undoubtedly,  if  a  competent  force  of  investigators  was  appointed, 
the  details  of  the  investigation  could  very  properly  and  advanta- 
geously be  left  to  them. 

I  should  be  very  much  interested  to  know  what  further  steps  are 
taken  in  this  matter,  and  if  I  can  in  any  way  render  any  service  in 
this  connection  I  shall  be  more  than  glad  to  do  so. 

Thanking  you  for  the  courtesy  of  addressing  me  on  the  subject, 
I  am, 

Yours,  very  sincerely,  C.  Stuart  Gager. 


KOCKEFELLER    INSTITUTE    FOR   MEDICAL    RESEARCH, 

New  York,  April®,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  16th  was  received,  and,  with  the 
accompanying  paper,  read  with  interest.  The  striking  physiological 
properties  of  the  hot  springs  assuredly  deserve  a  thorough  investiga- 
tion. For  that  I  can  suggest  nothing  better  than  the  assignment  of 
a  properly  equipped  physiological  chemist  from  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  or  the  Public  Health  and  Marine-Hospital  Service  to 
remain  on  the  work  until  it  has  been  completed  to  a  satisfactory 
degree. 

Yours,  very  truly,  Donald  A.  Van  Slyke. 


Chicago,  March  27,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation,  Ark. 

Dear  Doctor:  I  would  say  in  reply  to  your  inquiry  that  I  am 

heartily  in  sympathy  with  the  proposed  investigation,   under  the 

auspices  of  the  United  States  Government,  of  the  physiologic  effects 

of  the  waters  of  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas.     Am  convinced  that 


38  WATERS   OF    HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

our  national  resources,  climatic  as  well  as  balneologic,  do  not  receive 

the  attention  and  the  study  thai  they  deserve. 

Investigation  conducted  by  persons  commercially  interested  in  a 
health  resort  are  hardly  likely  to  be  of  great  scientific  value,  as  per- 
sonal bias  can  not  be  eliminated  even  by  good  intentions.  Such 
investigations  should  be  conducted  by  the  Government,  and  the 
results,  good  or  had,  published  for  the  benefit  of  the  people. 

Thanking  you  for  the  opportunity  to  express  my  opinion  in  this 
matter,  I  am, 

Yours,  very  truly.  Bernard  Fantus,  M.  D. 


WINNIPEG    GENEEAL    HOSPITAL, 

^Yinnipeg,  March  25,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

Dear  Doctor  :  In  reply  to  yours  of  March  16, 1  am  much  gratified 
that  the  effort  is  at  last  being  made  to  put  America's  best-known  spa 
on  a  scientific  basis,  as  the  taint  of  the  Diamond  Joe  regime  has 
probably  been  the  greatest  drawback  the  hot  springs  have  ever  had, 
and  they  have  not  been  permitted  to  do  the  good  of  which  they  are 
capable.  It  would  be  of  great  value  to  the  profession  of  the  country 
if  they  could  have  a  definite  and  reliable  statement  of  the  actual 
therapeutic  value  of  the  springs.  While  we  know,  of  course,  that 
the  bulk  of  the  good  results  of  the  foreign  springs  rests  on  a  more  or 
less  scientific  basis,  the  present  day  developments  of  radiotherapy 
indicate  that  if  these  springs  arc  really  endowed  with  radioactivity 
they  may  become  of  great  value. 

As  to  the  method  of  investigation.  Your  letter  suggests  a  physio- 
logical chemical  investigation.  I  assume  that  this  term  is  used  in  its 
broad  application  to  include  pharmacology  and  experimental  thera- 
peutics, as  it  is  with  mineral  waters  particularly  that  physiological 
chemistry,  or  any  chemistry  alone,  is  extremely  liable  to  lead  us 
astray,  the  only  thing  of  any  great  reliability  being  actual  animal 
experimentation,  followed  by  definite  experimental  therapy,  for 
which  I  suppose  the  hospital  would  furnish  sufficient  material,  after 
the  animal  experiments  had  suggested  promising  lines  of  procedure. 

If  I  can  at  any  time  be  of  service,  I  will  be  pleased  to  do  so,  not 
the  least  for  the  reason  that  while  I  am  now  under  the  British  flag, 
I  still  hold  my  commission  in  the  M.  R.  C. 
Yours,  respectfully, 

W.  P.  Morrill,  M.  D.,  Superintendent. 


Madison,  Wis.,  March  19,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Yours  of  the  16th  instant  at  hand.     I  would  state  to 
begin  with  that  I  am  hardly  qualified  to  answer  authoritatively  the 
questions  asked.     Reports  of  the  work  done  abroad  in  determining 


WATEKS  OF   HOT  SPRINGS  OF  ARKANSAS.  39 

the  effects  upon  metabolism  of  radioactive  baths  and  drinking  Waters 
does  not  seem  to  offer  great  encouragement  in  this  field.  A  number 
of  such  investigations  have  been  carried  on,  the  reports  of  which  have 
been  published  in  the  Zeitschrift  for  Experimentelle  Pathologie  Unci 
Therapie  during  the  last  few  years.  Very  little,  if  anything,  tangible 
has  been  found  to  indicate  any  deep-seated  or  definite  effect  upon 
metabolism.  My  own  impression,  therefore,  is  that  much  time  mighfe 
be  wasted  in  such  investigation.  On  the  other  hand  I  should  hesitate 
to  express  a  positive  opinion  which  might  in  the  slightest  degree 
discourage  research  along  any  line.  This  line  seems  so  much  less 
promising  than  many  others  in  the  field  of  preventative  and  curative 
medicine  that  I  should  personally  prefer  to  see  the  Government 
appropriate  money  for  more  valuable  lines  of  investigation.  *  *  * 
I  believe  it  is  generally  conceded  that  the  cures  effected  by  the 
well-known  spas  of  Europe  are  to  be  attributed  to  the  out-of-doof 
life  enjoined  on  the  patients,  to  the  regular  regimen  of  diet  and  sleep 
and  exercise;  to  the  simple,  nutritious  food  provided,  rather  than  to 
any  inherent  property  of  the  waters  themselves.  It  is  possible* 
however,  that  these  radioactive  waters  may  prove  beneficial  in  certain 
types  of  skin  diseases. 

Very  truly,  yours,  H.  C.  Bradley. 

Note. — Harold  C-  Bradley,  assistant  professor  of  physiological  chemistry, 
merit  of  physiology,  University  of  Wisconsin. 


United  States  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Office  of  Experiment  Stations, 

Washington,  D.  C,  March  27,  1912, 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  ^Ar-lc. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  March  16  was  received,  together  with 
the  additional  data  regarding  the  Arkansas  hot  springs.  I  am  much 
interested  in  the  subject  and  in  the  plans  for  future  development, 
Without  doubt  biochemical  studies  of  the  effects  of  the  waters  would 
prove  valuable. 

In  my  judgment,  it  is  also  important  to  study  the  effect  of  food 
conditions  in  combination  with  the  waters.  A  number  of  years  ago,  an 
attempt  was  made  in  connection  with  the  nutrition  investigations  or 
this  office  to  compile  experiments  with  men  and  animals  in  which  the 
balance  of  income  and  outgo  was  determined  usually  in  terms  or 
nitrogen.  As  the  work  progressed  it  became  evident  that  a  very  large 
number  of  studies  had  been  made  in  which  the  effects  of  mineral 
waters  and  baths  of  different  sorts  and  similar  factors  had  been 
studied.  .  _ 

A  considerable  number  of  the  articles  abstracted  were  published  in 
Russian,  and  others  in  French  and  German.  Many  additional  reports 
have  appeared  since  our  bulletin  was  published,  and  it  may  safely  be 
said  that  the  total  amount  of  literature  existing  on  this  subject  is 
fairly  large.  In  my  opinion,  this  material  might  be  very  profitably 
collected  and  digested  as  a  preliminary  to  and  in  conjunction  with 
other  studies,  the  Arkansas  springs. 


40  WATKRS   OF    HOT   SPRINGS   of   ABKANSAS. 

T(  might  be  possible  to  arrange  for  cooperation  between  your 
bureau  and  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations,  for  such  a  project, 
should  you  think  favorably  or  it. 

Trusting  that  it  will  prove  of  interest  to  you.  the  Division  of  Publi- 
cations has  been  asked  to  mail  you  under  separate  cover  a  eopy  of 
Bulletin  15,  ":'  the  Office  of  Experiment, Stations,  Dietary  Studies 
in  New  York  City  in  1895  and  1896,  which  contains  a  summary  of 
the  data  referred  to  above,  and  also  a  number  of  our  general  pub] 
f ions  on  food  and  nutrition  topics. 

Very  truly,  yours,  •  ('.  F.  Langworthy, 

Chief  of  Nutrition  Investigations. 


New   Y(>i:k.  March  23,  1912. 
Dr.  H.  M.  IIallock,  Medical  Director. 

Dear  Doctor:  Your  letter  of  the  15th  instant  has  given  me  great 
satisfaction  in  that  it  is  in  line  with  efforts  I  have  been  making  tor  a 
long  time  to  study  the  scientific  and  practical  aspects  of  our  abundant 
and  numerous  mineral  waters.  The  latter,  having  been  so  long 
exploited  by  commercial  enterprise,  have  fallen  into  desuetude 
because  physicians  have  not  observed  the  therapeutic  results  they 
had  reason  to  expect  from  the  too  often  false  representations  of  adver- 
tisers and  promoters.  Moreover,  medical  men  at  some  of  these 
springs,  being  iu  the  employ  of  or  at  least  dependent  for  patronage 
upon  the  proprietors  of  the  springs,  have  not  been  as  frank  as  was 
their  real  desire,  in  dissuading  persons  whose  cases  were  not  adapted 
to  the  waters  of  their  particular  resort  from  remaining.  This  is  one 
reason  for  my  hearty  approval  of  the  scientific  investigation  of  the 
waters  of  Hot  Springs  and  their  clinical  application  under  unbiased 
and  skilled  supervision.  This  may  seem  a  singular  reason,  but  I  am 
convinced  that  if  the  definite  and  reliable  result-  that  will  surely 
accrue  from  the  investigation  you  propose  will  stimulate  other  spring 
owners  to  follow  your  example,  and  the  result  will  be  the  same  splen- 
did one  which  has  been  achieved  by  the  demonstrations  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  to  our  farmers.  Every  good  health  resort  will 
emulate  your  example,  and  there  will  ensue  a  renaissance  in  physical 
therapeutics  which  I  have  been  in  vain  endeavoring  to  initiate.  So 
far  my  result  has  been  mainly  to  convince  intelligent  physicians  that 
there  is  a  physiological  action  of  water  which  has  not  been  sufficiently 
studied  and  that  water  may  be  applied  therapeutically  with  success 
only  upon  the  same  physiological  basis  as  digitalis  or  strychnia  or  other 
medicinal  agents.  Prior  to  the  discovery  of  the  effect  of  radio- 
activity in  mineral  waters,  I  have  based  ail  hydrotherapeutic  action 
on  the  thermis,  mechanical,  and  (feeble)  chemical  excitation  of  the 
cutaneous  nerve  and  vascular  supply  when  used  externally.  In  my 
article  on  ''Mineral  springs,"  in  the  first  edition  of  "  Hares  System  of 
Practical  Therapeutics."  I  stated  that  ''it  is  more  important  for  the 
physician  who  sends  a  patient  to  the  springs  to  know  the  mental 
composition  of  the  doctor  than  the  chemical  composition  of  the 
water."  Little  confidence  have  I  had  in  the  latter.  If  radio- 
activity may  be  added  to  the  feeble  and  often  inert  chemical  con- 
stituents which  are  the  boast  of  most  of  the  springs,  their  therapeutic 


WATERS   OP   HOT   SPRINGS   OP  ARKANSAS.  41 

value  will  surely  be  vastly  enhanced.  I  heartily  indorse  the  plan 
contemplated  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  of  securing  the  services 
of  a  competent  physiological  chemist  to  work  in  conjunction  with  a 
commission  of  medical  men. 

I  am  convinced  that  there  "is  a  reasonable  probability  that  a  series 
of  biochemical  investigations  on  animals  and  human  beings,  both  the 
sick  and  the  well,  would  yield  results  that  would  be  of  value  to  the 
medical  profession,  and  through  them  to  suffering  humanity."  The 
whole  subject  is  of  great  promise  from  a  clinical  standpoint.  Not 
having  received  the  inclosures  you  refer  to,  I  am  not  prepared  to  give 
you  suggestions.  I  need  not  say  that  you  will  need  physicians  who 
have  more  than  an  academic  acquaintance  with  hydrotherapy. 
Indeed,  I  discussed  the  subject  of  jour  letter  two  summers  ago  with 
Surg.  Gen.  Torney,  at  his  office  in  Washington,  and  recommended  this 
investigation,  advising  that  he  send  one  of  the  Hot  Springs  staff  to 
my  clinic  for  observations  on  hydrotherapy. 

Very  truly,  yours,  S.  Baruch. 

The  folio  wing  is  an  extract  taken  from  booklet  entitled,  "The  Suc- 
cess of  Physical  Eemedies  in  Pulmonary  Phthisis  as  an  Index  of  Their 
Value  in  Other  Chronic  Diseases,"  by  Simon  Baruch,  M.  D.,  of  Xew 
York: 

[Reprint  from  the  Medical  Record,  Aug.  13, 1904.] 

The  celebrated  health  reports  of  Germany,  which  attract  a  multitude  of  people, 
more  or  less  afflicted  with  chronic  diseases,  do  not  owe  their  well-earned  reputation 
so  much  to  the  climate  and  chemical  composition  of  the  waters  or  other  local  condi- 
tions as  is  generally  supposed.  These  useful  therapeutic  elements  would  be  abso- 
lutely inefficient  if  their  application  were  not  directed  by  the  medical  men  residing 
in  these  resorts,  who  have  made  it  a  life  study  to  investigate  the  climatic  and  balneo- 
logical advantages  of  their  respective  springs,  and  have  convinced  their  confreres  in 
all  parts  of  the  world,  by  conscientious  striving  for  the  welfare  of  tbe  patients  com- 
mitted to  their  care  and  by  the  intelligent  application  of  their  respective  local  advan- 
tages, and  by  close  attention  to  and  guarding  of  the  sanitary  arrangements  of  the 
springs.  It  is  really  more  important  for  the  physician  who  sends  his  patient  to 
health  resorts  or  springs  to  know  the  mental  composition  of  the  doctor  than  to  know 
the  barometric  characteristics  of  the  climate  or  the  chemical  composition  of  the 
waters.  As  an  example,  let  me  cite  the  recent  marvelous  growth  of  Xauheim  as  a 
resort  for  cardiac  cases,  which  is  due  to  the  studies  of  Dr.  Theodore  Schott  and  his 
conscientious  selection  of  cases  adapted  for  the  Nauheim  waters.  By  scorning  mer- 
cenary methods,  unfortunately  prevalent  at  many  resorts,  he  has  builded  better 
than  he  knew,  for  the  town  of  Nauheim  has  since  his  death  become  the  Mecca  of 
patients  from  all  parts  of  the  world.  It  will  retain  its  well-earned  reputation  so  long  as 
its  physicians  will  utilize  it  judiciously,  select  the  patients  with  care  and  firmly 
decline  to  retain  cases  not  adapted,  though  the  material  interests  of  the  resort  may 
seem  to  suffer. 


[New  York  Sun,  Mar.  26, 1912.] 

HOT   SPRINGS   RESERVATION. 

By  Dr.  S.  Baruch,  professor  of  hydrotherapy,  University  of  Columbia. 

The  enormous  annual  exodus  to  Europe  of  people  suffering  from  ailments  of  various 
kinds,  and  especially  from  rheumatism  and  gout,  involves  so  large  an  expenditure 
of  money,  time,  and*  comfort  that  it  becomes  a  matter  of  public  interest  to  ascertain 
if  these  can  not  be  avoided  or  at  least  diminished  to  a  great  extent.  The  fact  that 
our  own  country  possesses  mineral  springs  the  water  of  which  is  second  to  none  in 
efficacy  for  healing  to  those  of  Europe  has  often  been  pointed  out  by  some  of  our 
physicians  who  are  specially  interested  in  this  branch  of  medicine.  No  serious 
effort  has,  however,  been  made  to  demonstrate  scientifically  the  curative  value  of 


42  WATERS   OF    HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

waters.    The  resull  has  been  thai  the  numerous  health  resorts  of  this  country 

from  Maine  to  California  have  lacked  proper  utilization  except  for  commercial  pur- 
.  a  method  of  exploitation  which  has  damaged  their  repute  and  inclined  med- 
ical men  to  avoid  them  in  their  practical  application  of  mineral  springe  by  reason  of 
fantastic  analyses,  and  the  mosl  extravagant  claim.-  of  curative  properties  made  by 
the  owners. 

An  awakening  has  come,  however,  manifested  in  the  action  of  the  New  York  I.' 
lature,  which  has  acquired  the  Saratoga  Springs  as  a  State  reservation,  impelled 
thereto  by  the  systematic  robbing  of  the  precious  gases  contained  in  the  Saratoga 
spring  waters  by  manufacturers  or  distributors  of  carbonic-acid  gas.  Ii  became 
quite  obvious  that  if  this  course  continued  these  waters  would  become  practically 
inert  for  medicinal  purposes.  This  acl  of  the  legislature  was  the  first  step  in  the 
ignition  by  the  Stale  of  the  immense  value  and  importance  of  mineral  springs  to 
the  welfare  of  the  people.  The  development  of  this  State  reservation  has  been 
exceedingly  slow  and  halting,  probably  from  lack  of  appropriations.  The  commission 
appointed  by  the  governor  has  not  yet  been  successful  in  developing  Saratoga  as  a 
health  resort:  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  ere  long  Saratoga  may  become  as  famous  among 
physicians  for  the  health-giving  properties  of  its  w  aters  as  it  was  in  its  golden  prime  for 
its  cuisines,  its  fine  hotels,  and  good  Bporte  to  the  seekers  after  pleasure. 

Perhaps  the  action  now  being  taken  by  the  United  States  Government  in  developing 
the  Hot  Springs  Reservation  as  a  scientific  health  resort  may  stir  up  the  Saratoga  com- 
mission To  emulate  its  example.  For  many  years  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas  have 
been  famous  for  the  treatment  of  rheumatism,  gout,  and  other  blood  diseases.  One 
hundred  thousand  visitors  annually  attest  the  efficacy  of  these  waters.  In  order, 
however,  to  obtain  the  full  benefit  for  the  largest  number,  and  to  save  many  the 
trouble  and  expense  of  journeying  to  these  springs  without  prospect  of  advantage,  the 
Government  has  wisely  determined  to  institute  certain  scientific  experiments  to 
ascertain  definitely  their  true  curative  properties.  A  medical  director  has  been 
_!ied  to  supervise  the  baths  and  the  administration  of  the  reservation.  Under  the 
direction  of  Surg.  H.  M.  Hallock,  of  the  Army  Medical  Department,  analyses  have  been 
made  by  the  agricultural  and  geological  departments,  and  a  recent  investigation  has 
led  to  the  discovery  of  what  is  called  by  physicians  "radioactivity "  of  positive  type. 
This  does  not  mean  that  radium  exists  in  the  water  of  the  hot  springs,  but  "radium 
emanation."  a  gas  dissolved  in  the  water,  which  is  regarded  by  medical  men  of  great 
value  in  certain  diseases,  has  been  found  which  affords  a  more  mild  though  effective 
a>  tion.  This  discovery  is  of  marked  importance:  it  places  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas 
on  equality  with,  if  it  does  not  render  them  superior,  to  most  of  the  renowned  springs 
of  Europe  which  claim  radioactivity  for  their  waters. 

That  further  observations  on  this  subject,  together  with  the  practical  application 
of  the  waters  in  disease,  will  be  absolutely  reliable  and  entirely  free  from  commercial 
bias  is  guaranteed  by  the  type  of  men  under  whose  direction  they  will  be  executed. 
It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  Congress  may  grant  any  appropriation  that  may  be  called  for 
to  further  the  thorough  investigations,  scientific  and  practical,  which  are  proposed. 
The  outcome  of  the  latter  can  not  be  overestimated.  It  will  not  only  be  of  immediate 
value  to  the  large  number  of  sufferers  who  flock  to  these  springs,  but.  what  is  more 
important,  the  systematic  and  scientific  application  of  this  mineral  water  will  demon- 
-irate  to  owners  of  other  springs  and  to  physicians  that  the  European  methods  of 
administration  are  worthy  of  imitation,  especially  when  they  will  be  improved  by 
the  infusion  of  the  true  American  spirit  of  utility  to  the  largest  numbers.  The  develop- 
ment of  this  long-neglected  field  may  inure  to  the  lasting  benefit  of  our  people. 


The  State  University  of  Iowa, 

Department  of  Chemistry, 

Iowa  City,  March  18,  1912. 
Harry  M.  Hallock,  M.  D., 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
My  Dear  Sir:  I  have  your  letter  of  March  16  asking  my  opinion 
as  to  the  desirability  of  an  experimental  study  of  the  effects  of  the 
hot  springs  water  upon  animals  and  human  beings. 

I  regard  it  of  the  greatest  importance  to  have  such  problems  taken 
up  if  they  can  be  properly  studied.     Tradition  is  the  chief  evidence 


WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  43 

that  we  have  as  a  rule,  and  when  some  attempt  has  been  made  to 
investigate  such  questions  it  is  too  frequently  not  completed.  As  a 
requisite  for  conclusive  results  I  think  the  subjects  should  be  under 
control  as  to  their  diet,  hours,  etc.  Lacking  this  I  do  not  think 
very  definite  results  can  be  obtained.  I  believe  the  matter  should 
be  taken  up  from  both  the  clinical  and  physiological  sides.  From 
the  latter  I  should  like  to  see  a  thorough  investigation  made  of  the 
effects  of  the  water  upon  metabolism,  such  as  possible  modification 
of  amounts  of  excreted  materials,  urea,  uric  acid,  ammonia,  creatinin, 
total  nitrogen,  compounds  of  sulphur,  phosphorus,  etc. 

I  hope  that  you  may  be  successful  in  being  able  to  take  up  the  work. 
Yours,  very  truly, 

E.  W.  Rockwood. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation, 
Office  of  Medical  Director, 
Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  March  25,  1912. 
Prof.  Elbert  W.  Rockwood, 

Department  of  Chemistry,  State  University  of  Iowa, 

Iowa  City,  Iowa. 
Dear   Prof.   Rockwood:  I   beg  to   acknowledge  your  letter  of 
March  18,   1912,  and  to  express  herewith  my  appreciation  of  the 
consideration  you  have  given  to  my  inquiries. 

All  of  the  correspondence  with  reference  to  the  proposed  investiga- 
tion will  be  forwarded  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  in  due  time 
and  I  am  sure  that  the  officials  of  the  department  in  Washington 
will  appreciate  your  courtesy  as  much  as  I  do. 
Very  respectfully, 

Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director. 


Chicago,  March  20,  1912. 
Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

Sir:  I  have  your  letter  of  March  16,  1912,  containing  a  statement 
of  the  governmental  control  of  Hot  Springs  Reservation  and  also  your 
report  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  for  1911  and  a  copy  of  the  pub- 
lications on  the  hot  springs  of  Arkansas. 

I  think  that  further  investigations,  biochemical  and  clinical,  should 
be  made  of  the  waters  of  Hot  Springs,  Ark.  In  my  opinion  the  sub- 
ject is  a  legitimate  one  and  a  proper  one  for  scientific  research  for  the 
purpose  of  making  more  practical  the  uses  of  the  waters  for  patients. 

I  wish  that  it  were  possible  for  the  Government  to  more  fully  con- 
trol the  uses  of  the  waters  by  patients.  If  it  were  possible  for  the 
Government  to  cut  out  all  outsiders  and  to  conduct  the  bathing 
pavilions  under  complete  governmental  control,  I  believe  it  would 
remove  many  of  the  objections  which  now  exist  there. 


44  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

I  appreciate  very  much  what  the  Groremmenl   has  already  done 
through  the  officials  to  remove  and  correcl  as  far  as  possible  the  former 
abuses  which  came  through  private  interests  of  all  kinds. 
Very  truly,  yours. 

Frank  Billings. 

Note. — Frank  Billings,  dean  Northwestern  University  Medical  School;  professor 
of  practice  of  medicine,  Rush  Medical  College;  professor  of  medicine.  University  of 
Chicago. 


Chicago,  March  19.  191  ?. 

Mr.  Harry  M.  IIallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Spring*,  Ark. 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  strongly  urge  that  tests  be  made  to  determine  the 
chemical,  thermal,  and  radioactive  variations  of  the  waters  of  Hot 
Springs,  Ark.,  for  this  is  knowledge  which  the  medical  profession  needs. 
More  than  that,  1  urge  that  a  physiologist  of  experience  be  given 
facilities  for  determining  the  effects  produced  by  the  spring  water 
when  taken  internally  and  when  tised  for  bathing.  Unless  the  pro- 
fession has  this  knowledge,  the  water  can  not  be  used  in  a  scientific 
way.  Something  is  known  of  its  usefulness,  but  it  is  prescribed 
empirically  not  because  it  is  known  why  it  should  be  used. 

I  hope  the  United  States  Government  will  make  these  investiga- 
tions. Not  only  will  they  be  valuable  for  the  development  of  the  use- 
fulness of  this  spring,  but  doubtless  much  will  be  learned  which  will 
be  useful  in  applying  other  spring  waters. 

Very  respectfully,  yours.  X.  S.  Davis. 

Note. — Nathan  S.  Davis,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  professor  of  principles  and  practice  of  medi- 
cine, North  western  University,  Chicago,  111.;  ex-president  Chicago  Medico-Legal 
Society:  member  American  Medical  and  American  Climatological  Associations,  etc. 


Rockefeller  Institute  for  Medical  Research, 

New  York,  March  27,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  March  16,  with  the  printed  matter,  was 
forwarded  to  me.     I  should  be  glad  to  be  of  assistance  to  you,  but 
I  know  so  little  about  the  effects  of  springs  on  health  that  I  am  not 
in  a  position  to  make  a  definite  statement  or  recommendation. 
Thanking  you  for  your  note,  I  remain, 

Yours,  very  truly,  James  Lee. 


Albany,  X.  Y..  March  25,  1912. 
Harry  M.  Hallock,  M.  D., 

Washington,  D.  C. 
My  Dear  Doctor  :  Your  letter  and  reports  concerning  hot  springs 
of  Arkansas  were  duly  received,  and.  while  I  do  not  claim  to  have  any 
very  expert  knowledge  of  such  matters,  it  seems  to  me  that  there  can 
be  little  doubt  that  such  an  investigation  as  you  propose  would  be 
of  the  greatest  value  in  determining  in  what  class  of  cases  they  could 


WATERS    OF    HOT    SPRINGS    OF   ARKA.NSAS.  45 

be  resorted  to  with  advantage.  As  in  many  other  cases  it  is  not  pos- 
sible to  tell  beforehand  in  precisely  what  way  they  may  turn  out  to 
be  of  the  greatest  use. 

Very  truly,  yours,  Saml.  B.  Ward. 


Cornell  University  Medical  College, 

New  York,  March  20,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director ,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Replying  to  your  note  of  March  16  regarding  the  possi- 
ble value  of  careful  investigations  with  regard  to  the  value  of  the  baths 
of  Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  I  would  say  that  I  heartily  approve  of  the  idea. 
Of  course  the  value  of  such  work  would  depend  upon  the  training  of 
the  head  chemist  who  had  the  matter  in  charge.  There  is  so- much 
that  is  published  nowadays  which  is  not  properly  controlled  that  it 
would  be  a  great  misfortune  unless  the  work  were  conducted  by  a 
man  whose  knowledge  of  the  problems  to  be  attacked  was  of  the  most 
thorough  and  fundamental  order.  The  recent  work  in  Germany  with 
regard  to  the  value  of  radium  emanations  upon  the  destruction  of 
uric  acid  in  the  body  is  of  great  suggestiveness,  and  it  would  be  well 
if  similar  work  could  be  done  in  this  conutry,  if  placed  in  the  hands  of 
competent  observers. 

Very  truly,  yours,  Graham  Lusk. 

Note. — Graham  Lusk,  Ph.  D.,  Sc.  D.,  F.  R.  S.  (Edin.),  professor  of  physiology, 
Cornell  University  Medical  College. 


American  Medical  Association, 

Council  on  Pharmacy  and  Chemistry, 

Cleveland,  Ohio,  March  25,  1912. 
Dr.  H.  M.  Hallock. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  perused  your  letter  to  the  council  and  to  me, 
and  also  the  printed  matter,  with  interest.  It  appears  to  me^  that  an 
investigation  by  a  physiological  chemist,  working  rn  conjunction  with 
a  medical  commission,  holds  forth  promise  of  considerable  usefulness. 
This  investigation  might  bear  on  the  following  problems:  Effect  on 
temperature;  effect  on  metabolin;  effect  on  excretion  of  water,  salts, 
metabolites,  and  drugs  (Hg.  iodid,  plumbism,  etc.);  effect  on  circu- 
lation; effect  on  blood. 

These  observations  will  be  made  on  healthy  and  diseased  subjects. 
Comparative  experiments  should  be  made  with  the  hot  and  cooled 
waters,  also  with  ordinary  hot  water,  and  with  the  springs  and  plain 
water  taken  internally. 

If  some  such  program  is  submitted  to  the  prominent  laboratories 
where  biochemical  researches  are  in  progress,  it  might  facilitate  the 
obtaining  of  the  properly  qualified  investigator. 
Very  truly,  yours, 

TORALD    SOLLMANN. 


46  waters  of  hot  springs  of  arkansas. 

Bureau  of  Animal  Industry, 

Washington,  D.  C,  April  1,  1912. 
Director  Harry  M.  IIallock, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

De  \r  Sib  :  I  have  your  circular  dated  March  16.  In  reply  to  your 
question  "Is  a  biochemical  investigation  *  *  *  of  the  waters 
*  *  *  a  legitimate  and  proper  one  for  scientific  research  from  the 
standpoint  of  clinical  medicine?"  I  beg  to  answer,  in  spite  of  my 
limited  knowledge  of  the  physiological  effects  of  radium  and  its 
products,  yes;  provided,  however,  that  those  who  arc  in  charge  of 
the  investigations  realize  that  the  most  skillful  physiological  chemist 
working  for  a  few  years  probably  will  not  get  results  that  will  appeal 
strongly  to  anyone  except  scientists  interested  in  just  that  line.  I 
mean  that  I  doubt  whether  practical  results  can  justly  be  expected 
from  one  man  working  a  few  years.  I  believe  that  before  results  of  a 
direct  clinical  value  are  obtained  many  men  will  have  worked  for 
many  years. 

If  a  biological  chemist  were  engaged  in  research  at  the  hot  springs, 
a  very  grave  injustice  might  be  done  to  him  if  he  were  regarded  as 
incompetent  because  "practical  results"  were  not  forthcoming.  I 
believe  that  the  work  should  certainly  be  done — the  more  biochemists, 
the  better— but  let  there  be  no  expectation  of  anything  definite  for 
about  10  years.  This  is  not  too  long.  I  used  radium  bromid  (and 
barium  bromid)  in  some  metabolism  experiments  on  dogs,  and  one  of 
the  results  was  to  point  out  the  endless  labor  and  difficulty  involved 
in  working  out  the  physiological  and  pharmacological  action  of  a  sub- 
stance like  radium  or  its  allied  products. 

Permit  me  to  emphasize  the  desirability  of  the  work  and  the  length 
of  time  it  will  probably  take  to  arrive  at  results  that  are  of  "practical 
value." 

Respectfully,  William  W.  Berg. 


April  2,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

My  Dear  Doctor:  I  most  heartily  indorse  the  efforts  you  are 
making  to  have  tested  the  therapeutic  value  of  the  waters  on  the 
reservation.  There  seems  every  reason  for  believing  that  these 
waters  will  prove  as  beneficial,  if  not  more  so,  than  those  in  European 
countries. 

If  I  can  aid  you  in  securing  the  necessary  appropriation  by  speak- 
ing to  a  few  Members  of  Congress  I  will  cheerfully  undertake  the  task. 
Very  truly, 

Samuel  S.  Adams, 
Georgetovm  University. 

Note. — Samuel  S.  Adams,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  professor  of  theory  and  practice  of  medi- 
cine and  diseases  of  children,  Georgetown  University. 


waters  of  hot  springs  of  arkansas.  47 

United  States  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Bureau  of  Plant  Industry, 

Washington,  D.  C,  March  20,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir  :  I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
March  16,  together  with  the  inclosures.  I  will  give  the  matter  my 
very  best  consideration  and  will  communicate  with  you  again  as  soon 
as  I  have  opportunity  to  read  the  literature  you  sent  me  and  to  con- 
sider the  whole  question.  I  hope  that  you  can  give  me  a  few  days 
in  which  to  turn  the  matter  over  in  my  mind.  It  is  certainly  of 
such  importance  as  to  warrant  earnest  thought.  Moreover,  while  I 
am  familiar  with  the  literature  of  radioactivity  in  a  general  way,  I 
wish  to  refresh  my  memory  by  reading  again  some  of  the  recent  work 
on  the  subject.  In  that  way  I  hope  I  will  be  able  to  give  you  an 
opinion  that  will  be  worth  more  than  if  I  should  reply  to  your  ques- 
tion at  once.  If,  however,  it  is  necessary  for  me  to  reply  at  once 
please  do  not  hesitate  to  say  so  and  I  will  do  what  I  can  under  the 
circumstances.  You  will  then  hear  from  me  again  in  the  course  of 
some  days. 

Very  truly,  yours,  Carl  L.  Alsberg, 

Chemical  Biologist. 


Chicago,  April  6,  1912. 
Dr.  H.  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
My  Dear  Dr.  Hallock:  In  answer  to  your ' circular  letter  of 
March  15  regarding  the  scientific  investigation  of  natural  mineral 
waters,  I  would  say  that  such  investigations  under  Government 
supervision  would  undoubtedly  be  of  enormous  value  to  the  people 
of  this  country,  and  that  the  value  would  gain  in  importance  by 
having  the  work  conducted  jointly  by  the  Government  and  a  com- 
mittee of  the  American  Medical  Association,  because  this  would 
insure  the  transmission  of  such  results  directly  to  the  entire  medical 
profession  and  through  them  to  the  public. 
Yours,  very  sincerely, 

A.  J.  OCHSNER, 

Professor  Clinical  Surgery  of  the  Medical  Department 

oj  the  University  of  Illinois. 


New  York,  April  4,  1912. 
Harry  M.  Hallock,  M.  D., 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Doctor  :  Please  accept  my  thanks  and  appreciation  of  your 
letter  of  March  14  and  my  apologies  for  the  delay  in  answering  the 
same. 

I  have  been  greatly  interested  to  hear  of  the  plan  of  instituting 
investigations  of  the  physiological  effects  of  the  waters  of  hot  springs. 
It  is  not  so  very  long  that  attention  has  been  directed  to  the  radio- 
active qualities  of  European  mineral  springs,  and  the  study  of  the 


48  WATERS   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF   ARKANSAS. 

subject  is  far  from  completed.     Therefore  then'  seems  to  l>e  no  doubt 

biochemical  investigation,  conducted  by  competent  observers, 

:ie  actiou  of  the  waters  of  hot  springs  upon  animals  and  upon 

human  beings,  both  the  sick  and  the  well,  at  t  he  springs,  would  result 

in  the  production  of  valuable  scientific  information  beneficial  to  the 

medical  profession  in  general  and  indirectly  to  suffering  humanity. 

;  Lnvestigat  ions  conducted  by  officers  of  t  be  United  Stales  ( rovern- 

ment  would  command  attention  in  this  country  as  well  as  abroad, 

and  would  certainly  he  welcomed  from  the  clinical  standpoint. 

American  mineral  springs  have  heretofore  been  woefully  neglected 
by  the  medical  profession  as  well  as  by  the  American  people.  Meeting 
'■e<|iiest  of  the  committee  on  therapeutic  research  of  the  American 
Medical  Association  for  an  investigation  of  the  radioactivity  of  the 
various  mineral  waters,  the  plan  indicated  in  your  letter  would  un- 
doubtedly be  welcomed  and  supported  by  the  physicians  of  the  entire 
country  and  largely  contribute  to  a  more  genera]  appreciation  of  our 
domestic  watering  pla< 

Under  these  circumstances  it  is  to  he  hoped  that  Congress  will 
make  a  sufficiently  large  appropriation  for  the  purposes  of  such  an 
investigation. 

Very  truly,  yours,  Herman  (i.   Kixyrz,  M.  D. 


United  States  Department  of  Agriculture, 

•  Bureau  of  Soils, 
Washington,  D.  C,  April  11,  1912. 
Dr.  H.  M.  Hallock, 

Hot  Springs  Reservation,  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  your  letter  of  March  16  concerning  the  physio- 
logical effects  of  the  water  of  Hot  Springs,  Ark. 

I  am  interested  in  what  you  write  and  believe  that  if  the  matter  can 
be  arranged  satisfactorily  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  physio- 
logical effects  of  the  waters  would  be  of  value.  I  have  shown  your 
letter  to  Prof.  R.  B.  Moore,  recently  of  Butler  College,  Indianapolis, 
and  now  of  this  bureau,  who  has  published  some  work  on  the  radio- 
activity of  waters  of  this  country,  and  he  informs  me  that  lie  is  quite 
well  acquainted  with  the  work  you  quote  of  Prof.  B.  B.  Boltwood, 
and  that  the  statement  Xo.  3,  "•The  tufa  deposited  by  the  springs 
does  not  contain  appreciable  traces  of  radium,"  is  not  correct.  At 
the  time  that  Prof.  Boltwood  did  this  work  the  methods  of  detecting 
-mall  quantities  of  radium  were  not  as  far  advanced  as  they  are  at  the 
present  time.  Prof.  Boltwood's  work  on  the  radioactivity  of  the 
waters  is  reliable,  but  more  recent  investigations  of  .the  tufa  by  Prof. 
Schlundt,  of  the  University  of  Missouri,  has  disclosed  the  fact  that 
some  of  the  tufa  is  exceedingly  active;  in  fact,  in  one  case  the  sedi- 
ment in  a  spring  is  one  of  the  most  radioactive  in  the  whole  world. 
Therefore,  before  drawing  any  conclusions  regarding  the  therapeutic 
value  of  the  waters,  it  might  be  advisable  to  have  the  investigation 
as  regards  the  radioactivity  still  further  extended. 

Mr.' Moore  is  now  in  the  Government  service  in  connection  with 
the  Bureau  of  Soils.  I  am  sure  he  will  be  glad  to  give  you  any  advice 
or  suggestions  that  you  may  desire  in  connection  with  this  matter 
or  in  connection  with  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  medical  associa- 


WATEES   OF   HOT   SPRINGS   OF  ARKANSAS.  49 

tion  at  Los  Angeles  that  the  Government  take  up  the  investigation  of 
the  radioactivity  of  the  various  mineral  waters  of  the  United  States. 
Yours,  very  truly, 

Oswald  Schreiner, 

In  Charge. 

New  York  University, 
University  and  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College, 

New  York  City,  April  17,  1912. 
Harry  M.  Hallock,  M.  D., 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  circular  letter  addressed  to  me  at  the  Albany 
Medical  College  was  forwarded  to  me  at  my  present  address  above. 
I  deem  it  extremely  wise  and  would  recommend  by  all  means  that 
an  investigation  as  to  the  therapeutic  value  of  the  waters  at  the  hot 
springs  be  made  with  scientific  accuracy  and  under  competent 
supervision. 

The  exploitation  of  so  many  spas  where  remedial  waters  are  dis- 
pensed at  high  cost  both  for  services  and  living  has  had  its  effect 
upon  the  profession  as  well  as  the  laity,  and  it  is  therefore,  above  all 
things,  highly  necessary  that  you  become  able  to  present  scientific 
proof  of  the  functional  efficacy  of  the  spring  water. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  give  you  an  outline  of  a  possible  line  of 
procedure,  for  that  would  entail  months  of  study  into  the  conditions 
of  climate,  composition  of  water,  methods  of  ingestion,  physiological 
effects,  etc. 

I  can  simply  call  your  attention  to  the  importance  which  has  quite 
recently  been  emphasized  from  various  standpoints  of  the  equilib- 
rium of  salts  which  must  exist  and  be  held  constant  in  the  full-grown 
individual  and  the  abnormalities  of  function  which  result  from  any 
disturbance  of  this  equilibrium.  Also  the  importance  of  certain 
salts,  such  as  potassium  compounds,  for  the  proper  growth  of  the 
young.  All  this  is  apart  from  the  question  of  the  therapeusis  of 
radioactive  substances.  Any  data  which  you  may  obtain  in  any  of 
these  fields  will  be  of  great  value  to  the  medical  profession  and 
would  result  in  increased  cooperation  on  their  part. 
Very  truly, 

Holmes  C.  Jackson. 

P.  S. — If  you  are  actually  anxious  for  details  in  any  specific  matter 
I  shall  be  glad  to  supply  them. 


College  of  Medicine  of  Syracuse  University, 

Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  April  18,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  Hallock, 

Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs  Reservation, 

Hot  Springs,  Ark. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  March  16,  addressed  to  Dean  Heffron,  has 
been  handed  to  me,  with  the  request  that  I  make  a  reply.     I  am  in 
hearty  sympathy  with  any  attempt  which  leads  to  estimating  the 

56511— H.  Doc.  905,  62-2 4 


50  WATERS    OF    HOT    SPRINGS    OF    ARKANSAS. 

exacl  physiological  effects  of  the  water  al  Hot  Springs.  !  believe  that 
yon  arc  to  be  congratulated  because  of  the  fact  that  the  Government 
is  taking  hold  of  this  spa,  and  I  consider  it  one  of  the  duties  of  the 
Government  to  not  only  make  the  springs  accessible  to  the  people, 
but  to  so  study  them  that  the  baths  and  water  will  be  used  only  in  a 
perfectly  proper  way. 

very  truly,  yours,  W.  1).  A^sever, 

Professor  of  Therapeutics. 


The  University  of  Wisconsin, 
Department  of  Pharmacology  and  •  Toxicology, 

Madison,   Wis.,  April  24,  1912. 
Dr.  Harry  M.  IIallock, 
.     Medical  Director,  Hot  Springs,  Arl. 

Dear  Sir:  Due  to  serious  illness  in  my  family  and  my  absence  from 
the  city,  I  have  been  unable  to  answer  your  letter  earlier.  I  think  a 
thorough  study  of  the  physiological  effects  of  the  water  of  hot  springs 
and  a  determination  of  its  therapeutic  value  would  be  very  desirable. 
I  can  not  make  any  recommendations  "As  to  the  best  method  of  pro- 
cedure," because  I  do  not  understand  what  you  mean  by  this  phrase. 
Scientifically,  the  work  should  determine  the  effect  of  the  water  on 
metabolism  in  health  and  disease,  and  physiological  investigations  of 
various  kinds  should  determine  the  effect  in  detail  of  the  water  on 
the  circulation  and  respiration  in  health  and  disease. 
Yours,  very  truly, 

A.  S.  LOEVENHART. 

o 


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